Penna Dexter
Bioethicist and political thinker Leon Kass has often been called upon to weigh in on consequential moral debates. He lives both in the US and in Jerusalem where he serves as dean of faculty at Shalem University. His recent Wall Street Journal commentary, “Why the Jewish Way of Living Matters,” speaks to certain “Torah-based beliefs,” moral principles shared by the Jewish right and left. Some of these concern the centrality of family life. Dr. Kass states: “In this time of moral confusion and social fragmentation, Israel, by its example has something to teach us…..Alone in the developed world, it has a birthrate above replacement, with a low level of out-of-wedlock births.”
According to a Journal report, titled, “Why Americans Are Having Fewer Babies`,” the US relies on “a robust pool of young people. Without them, the US economy will be weighed down by a worsening shortage of workers.”
Demographers and economists are worried. In 2007, the number of babies born in the United States started to plummet. It hasn’t recovered. According to the Journal, the number of babies born last year was down about 15% from the number born in ‘07, “even though there are 9% more women in their prime childbearing years.”
We originally blamed the ‘08 financial crisis for the persistent drop. Now we look at other factors: The economy, feminism, and even concerns about the environment can influence childbearing decisions. But studies show, young women still want kids. The Journal article cites evidence which leads to the conclusion that “the gap between women’s intended number of children and their actual family size has widened considerably.”
In his documentary, “Birthgap,” data scientist Stephen Shaw points out that 80% of the childless women he studied wanted to have children. Many just thought they had more time.
This is heartbreaking for them and terrible for the country as we find ourselves in a childbearing trough. Hopefully, it’s not too late to turn this around.

Kerby Anderson
As I mentioned yesterday, Americans are concerned about the direction of the country. They also believe the economy has become much worse in the last few years. The explanation from the White House is that the President’s message about Bidenomics isn’t getting through to the American people.
One economist has another suggestion. He argued that Americans have “demonstrably false views about the current economy.” Also, he mentioned the slight difference between how Republicans and Democrats view the economy. That might suggest there is a political element to the current dissatisfaction.
A Harris poll shows that two-thirds (68%) of respondents reported that it was difficult to be happy with the economic news. Only a slightly higher number of Republicans (69%) agreed with the statement compared to Democrats (68%).
Even more telling was the fact that nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) believe the economy is worse than the media makes it out to be. Here is where you see some political differences. A higher percentage of Republicans (82%) believe the economy is worse than reported by the media than Democrats (49%). But it is telling that nearly half of all Democrats agree with that statement.
The administration and the media can point to the fact that unemployment is close to a 50-year low and economic growth is improving. But those economic figures don’t seem to be influencing Americans trying to make ends meet.
Earlier this year, Bankrate published its annual Emergency Fund Report. They found that two-thirds (68%) of Americans were worried they wouldn’t be able to cover their living expenses for just one month if they lost their primary source of income. More than half (57%) said they couldn’t afford a $1,000 emergency expense.
This is the economic reality for millions of Americans. That is why they don’t express confidence in our economy.

Kerby Anderson
As the year of 2023 is winding down and we are heading into the election season of 2024, one thing is certain: most Americans are concerned about our nation’s future. An ABC News/Ipsos survey found that more than 75 percent of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.
Some commentators looking at that poll even wonder why the remaining 25 percent aren’t also concerned about America’s direction. Consumers are paying more for gas, food, and energy. Mortgage rates are higher than when President Biden took office. War has broken out in two major areas of the world, while military threats loom in other parts of the world.
Yesterday, I talked about the cost and concerns about the border and immigration. The only group that seems to be benefitting from our open border are the cartels. One headline recently announced, “Smuggling migrants to the US is a booming business.” Another story explained that cartels are “specializing in logistics, transportation, surveillance, and more, resulting in revenues up to $13 billion.”
The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll asked registered voters, “How concerned are you about the situation at the border?” They found that 82 percent were concerned (with 47 percent very concerned and an additional 35 percent somewhat concerned).
The response from the current administration has been that their message about the economy and the border isn’t getting through. But the facts about our current direction seem to be getting through to most Americans. They feel the rising costs of goods and services. And they suspect that allowing more than 6 million illegal aliens into this country cannot be good for them or the country.
It will be hard to make the case next year during election season that “steady as she goes” is the best policy for this nation.