Surprise-Free Endstate: Stagflation
A million competing thoughts ran through Juan’s mind. What do I think about the American elections? He recognized his habitual way of viewing the subject and had to stop momentarily to adjust his thinking. What do I think about OUR elections? I’m an American now.
He bit into the tortilla, savoring its texture and warmth. Finally, he said, “I don’t know… maybe it’s like Tio Pablo says. Maybe it’s all a big game. If so, then I guess that’s just the way of the world.”
Maria looked sad.
“What?” Juan turned in his chair, “Did I say something wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” Maria replied, turning back to her cooking.
But Juan could tell something was bothering her. “No. Tell me, cariña. What’s the matter?”
Maria was silent for a long time. She stirred the contents of her frying pan furiously. It was something she did when Juan was in trouble. “You made me come here all those years ago,” she said. “I miss my mother. I miss cooking together.”
Juan’s eyes widened, and his mouth hung open. He had no idea what she was talking about. But decades of marriage had taught him to hold still and keep silent when Maria started talking like this. He knew that if he just waited and listened long enough, he’d find out what he had done wrong this time.
“I don’t want America to be just like every other country!” She turned and stomped her foot as she met Juan’s dumbfounded gaze. With one hand on her hip, she slid the pan off the heat and then pointed an accusing finger, “You told me America was more than just a place to make money! You said America was a dream, an idea. Now, you tell me it’s just like every other country? Then why are we even here?”
Oh, now I understand. Juan’s chin lifted in silent recognition of Maria’s argument, and he held out his hands to forestall more accusations. “I didn’t mean that,” he tried to soothe her with his words. He’d never been very good at that, and it didn’t work this time.
“Then what do you mean?”
The question made Juan hesitate. “I still believe in America,” he said at last. He furrowed his brow, “Why does everyone make such a big deal about the elections? Are they really that important?”
“Why do you think America is so much different than home?” Maria challenged him.
Juan crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat. He was starting to get angry, but again, decades of marriage had taught him the futility of escalating a conflict like this with his wife when she’d put her hand on her hip. So, he ground his teeth together and tried to give her a sensible reply, “You remember what it was like back then.” He could tell by the way she dropped her baleful stare that he’d scored a point with that comment. She remembered. “We didn’t have any kind of future there.”
Maria nodded.
“Look at everything we have now,” he waved his hands around the room. “We’re rich now. Maybe not by American standards, but in Mexico, I would be a king and you would be the queen.”
“So, it’s all about the money,” Maria was down, but she wasn’t out.
Juan momentarily lost his cool, “You think they don’t have money in Mexico too?” He nearly shouted. “They have lots of money down there! The difference is that in America, you don’t have to be a politician or a criminal to get it. Here, a man like me, a hard-working, honest man, can get treated fair. Here, I’ve had the chance to make something of my life. We never could have had any of this back home, you know that!”
Maria won every fight when she started to cry. And she always cried when Juan raised his voice.
He stood and embraced her. She folded into his arms, and he caressed her hair. “I’m sorry, mi amor. I’m not mad.”
Maria sniffed and wiped her eyes, “You’re a good man, Juan. I thank God for you every day. I won’t talk to you about the elections anymore. I don’t want to upset you. You don’t have to vote if you don’t want to. I don’t mind.”
“I’m still gonna vote,” Juan objected. “I just don’t know that it’s gonna make any kind of difference.” He opened a drawer and rummaged around until he found the large envelope containing the Presidential Preference Election information. “Look, I’ll just fill this out right now, OK?”
As he sat down to start filling out the unfamiliar document, Juan worried about the choices he was making. He didn’t recognize many names, but that didn’t matter much. Juan knew he would check the box for Joe Biden to be the Democratic nominee. I think he’s a good man, Juan thought. I think he’s gonna take care of the people.
Technically, this was Juan’s first vote as an American. He didn’t know how he was supposed to feel, but he didn’t think it was supposed to be as bad as this. Perhaps it was the argument he’d had with Maria, or maybe just the act of filling out paperwork, but a dark foreboding plagued his heart. Business has been bad lately. Prices were high everywhere, and interest rates were making purchasing difficult.
What’s Got Juan Worried Most?
Choose Option 1: High Prices and Inflation
Choose Option 2: High Interest Rates