A Quiet Transformation in the American Economy: The Elderly

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There has never been a better time in America to be old. Yet it also exposes our disjointed national priorities. We keep pouring resources into making the elderly comfortable and happy when the economy’s pressure points lie elsewhere. 

According to Greg Ip for The Wall Street Journal, here's what else is happening on the quiet transformation in the American economy:

The elderly are mostly out of the job market and thus need not worry about being replaced by artificial intelligence. The majority own their homes, often debt-free. Everyone worries about health costs, but the elderly have publicly funded Medicare. None of this is true for young generations.

The elderly are a nation of optimists.  

If you are over 65, congratulations.  You own the economy. 

Today in Global Small Business: The Global Small Business Forum Turns 10 — and It’s More Powerful Than Ever!

What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Photo collage from the super successful 10th Annual Global Small Business Forum held in Chicago on Thursday, October 24, 2025 – sponsored by Associated Bank and hosted by Foley & Lardner.
• How CEOs can play the long game in a shortsighted world.
• Quote of the week:  "When someone says, 'let's impose tariffs on foreign imports', it looks like they're doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs. And sometimes, for a short while it works, but only for a short time." Ronald Reagan (not exact order of how Reagan delivered this but they are his exact word)
• The 100 best books of the 21st Century.
• Many older Americans are financially comfortable but pessimistic about the economy because of their children’s struggles with jobs and affordability. Is the American economy doing that great?
• Punishing a country again ... President Donald Trump said on Saturday (10/25/25) that he plans to hike tariffs on imports of Canadian goods by an extra 10% because of an anti-tariff television ad aired by the province of Ontario.  Here's President Reagan's radio address from 1987 on Free and Fair Trade.

A Strong Dollar Is Good For the American Economy

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The United States has benefited from a profound shift in global capital flow, which has boosted the dollar.  But why is a strong dollar in America's best interests?

Not only does a strong dollar mean that there is a healthy demand for American-made goods and services, but, perhaps more important, it’s also a show of confidence in the U.S. government and financial institutions.

Learn how the shift in global capital flow has boosted the dollar, which should continue as the global economy adjusts to higher inflation and higher interest rates.