On this segment of the Morning Update, WFEA host Jeff Chidester welcomes back financial expert, educator, and longtime radio host Thom Brueckner—head of Strategic Asset Conservation and host of Retirement Intelligence—for a wide-ranging conversation on the economy, inflation, and the looming general election.

The discussion kicks off with the Federal Reserve’s recent decision to keep interest rates unchanged, driven by sticky inflation tied to energy costs. Reviewing insights from economist E.J. Antoni and economic commentator Larry Kudlow, Brueckner and Chidester tackle the disconnect between media narratives regarding high gas and diesel prices and actual consumer spending habits. Brueckner notes that Americans keep spending heavily on discretionary items, new technology, and even luxury expenses like pet Halloween costumes, dwarfing the marginal monthly cost increases at the pump.

Turning to global markets, Brueckner contrasts sluggish growth in major European economies and China—such as France at 0.0% and Germany at 0.3%—with the resilient U.S. economy, which the Atlanta Fed estimates is growing at 3.3% and could climb higher once energy pressures ease. The interview concludes with a passionate look ahead to next Tuesday’s election, with Brueckner framing the vote as a critical choice between continued economic freedom and prosperity versus socialist policies that threaten the Constitution and the nation’s financial future.