actually quite impressive. >> historian ryan walters, sunday night at 8:00 eastern on c-span's q&a. you can listen to q&a and all our podcasts, on the free c-span now app. >> c-span is your unfiltered view of government. we are funded by these television companies and more, including sparklight. >> the greatest town on earth is the place you go home. at sparklight, it is our home, too, and right now we are all facing our greatest challenge. that's why sparklight is working around-the-clock to keep you connected. we are doing our part so it is a little easier to do yours. >> sparklight supports c-span as a public service, along with these other television providers, giving you a front row seat to democracy. >> the economy, not only at the top of everybody's mind but, on the top of a number of news publications and newspapers this morning. three different stories in the front page of the wall street

journal -- -- the dow falls 600 points, turning in the worst day of 2022. they also point out mortgage rates are at a three-year high. but they report this about american spending -- americans start splurging on travel and experiences. more people in the u.s. are satisfying their wanderlust and spending big. with daily new covid-19 cases following, restrictions easing, and the strongest consumer finances in recent history, people are finally emerging from the pandemic eager to splurge on everything from travel to sports events to restaurants, cruises, and theme parks, executives said. that is from the wall street journal. . an opinion piece this morning in the new york times from a formal obama administration official, stephen ratner. we are asking you if you are optimistic or pessimistic about the economy. biden keeps blaming the supply

chain for inflation that is dishonest. in an interview with lester holt from nbc, president biden stayed closely to his talking points. the reason for the inflation is the supply chains were cut off, he insisted. that is simplistic and misleading. he says for starters, supply chain's have not been cut off, just stretched. supply issues are by no means the root cause of our inflation. that is like complaining about your sweater keeping you too warm. the bulk of the supply problems is over stimulating the economy. not because of it. shortages in factories with transportation workers, most of our supply problems have been homegrown.

along the way americans have been creating shortages. akin to those in a shopping mall on black friday. optimistic about the economy or pessimistic? (202) 748-8000 is the line if you are optimistic. (202) 748-8001 if you are pessimistic. if you are unsure, (202) 748-8002. president biden talk about the economy yesterday. he was in ohio talk about the infrastructure law passed late last year by congress. here is some of what president biden had to say. president biden: we let the world by significant margin because we invested in ourselves. we invested in our infrastructure. the arteries of the nation that allowed us to function smoothly. we invested in our people and our opportunity. we were one of the first nations

to provide universal high school. the space race facilitates in facilities like lewis research center in cleveland. we let the world in research development. somewhere along the way, we took our eye off the ball. our infrastructure used to be rated number one in the world. according to the economic forum, we ranked number 13 in the world. china is catching up and passing us. we are reinvesting in our economy and in our people. creating millions of jobs from -- and building a better america. that's what we are going to do. host: are you optimistic or pessimistic? a tweet here says pessimistic. biden tells people there's no inflation. months later he says inflation is here but will leave soon.

the supply chain, not our policies are causing inflation. this is from a text that just came in. that is (202) 748-8003. if you are optimistic about the economy, (202) 748-8000. pessimistic, (202) 748-8001. for those of you are unsure, (202) 748-8002. this is from the think advisor website and their poll, americans divided into views on the economy. americans are about equally divided in their views on the state of the economy. 45% said they are optimistic. 42% are pessimistic. respondent's top concerns were inflation, 83 percent. supply chain disruption, 77%.

interest rates, 71%. the more worried respondent said they are, the bigger effect those concerns have on initial decision. 41% said they considered the rate of inflation when making decisions in the last nine month. let's hear from ann on the pessimistic line in manchester, kentucky. caller: good morning. i feel with the job loss, you cannot find items. they are too expensive. our borders are still wide open with people pouring over, drug abuse. our own people have been hurting. we are allowing people to come into our country. what are we going to get but that results? host: washington, new jersey, on the unsure line. this is ted. caller: i tend to be optimistic

but at this point i'm a little bit unsure because of things i see that the government could do. the government shouldn't be involved in the economy but it is. i did not agree with turning off the pipeline. we were energy independent. we were buying overseas from the middle east and russia, i think the government does not realize that. the other problem is new jersey is the number one state people are moving out of. i see people moving in also, there's a lot of demand. because of the taxes and the spending of the government, people have nothing to do with a lot of the money being spent.

they are just overtaxed. the biggest problem in my pessimism is not of the people are being allowed to access it. when the loans were given out during the pandemic in the beginning, they were only giving them to 20% of the people who really need them. the large corporations, they got the money. the small businesses that just needed a boost, there's no access, no help for them. in new jersey, many businesses went out. there was no business, they lost it. host: you mentioned that, you said is new jersey is the number one state people are moving out of.

how many people per month? at the minute i do not. caller: at the same time we had many people from new york and many areas moved here. they move from new york because of the out-of-control crime and the elected officials in new york state such as cuomo and the new woman. the new mayor of new york is trying just goes on with the administration. the number one thing is public safety. they just don't feel safe in new york. host: we will go to the optimistic line no. in alabama, that is beds. -- vince. caller: i'm optimistic that the current person in office will

sound like his old boss. we already could spend $1 trillion on infrastructure. it is all a scam. you can't trust anything coming out of this government. they are always lying. i'm optimistic things will stay the same. a bunch of criminals enriching themselves. host: the council of economic advisors testified yesterday on capitol hill recording on their deliberations on inflation. white house economists split on inflation cause. the senior administration official inside the white house in recent weeks included the passage tying inflation to monopoly power. members of the white house council of economic advisors raised objection to the idea was

it was due to corporate power. they spoke on the condition of anonymity because of peers -- fears of professional reprisals. it highlights the tensions within the administration and whether the white house should bring -- blame consolidation and monopoly for price hikes. the administration could be more aggressively advanced. democratic pollsters with the economic message on corporate greed that resonates with voters. the council of economic advisors about the impact of inflation on the job market. >> isn't it true that post low in middle income workers have experienced a bigger rise in the

cost of the things they need to buy than in income? >> i appreciate the concern very much. i would like to point out -- >> i'm sorry, we all know the number of governors is adequate to do what they need to do. let's not go there. can you confirm the simple fact that for most workers wages are not rising as fast? >> some recent estimates suggest that if we look at the bottom 60% of workers and market income

before taxes and benefits, it is greater now than it was 2019. with benefits, they are actually ahead. >> we saw the 7.5% is the most recent rate of inflation. we know low and middle income people have more experience than that. they pay a disproportionate amount of income things more rapidly rising for things like gasoline, groceries. the average worker in america is more than keeping up with inflation? >> what we know -- inflation, we do not want to see this level of inflation going forward. that is why the president is focused on doing what he can with the federal reserve likely to adjust. we know household balances because of the efforts of the

government, the federal reserve have been maintained through this pandemic. host: we covered that hearing yesterday. this is front page also online for the washington times this morning. rising gas prices put biden and democrats in a bind. they write that record high inflation, geopolitical tension and prices of gas reaching seven dollars per gallon have democrats in washington scrambling. one response from a small group of senate democrats that suspended the gas tax act 18.4, cents per gallon, they have been taking a more public stance in acknowledging the need to combat inflation which has reached a 40 year high in an election year. it has become a lightning rod on capitol hill. republicans accused democrats of

trying to provide cover. that would leave a roughly $20 billion hole in the highway trust fund. some comments on social media. today's topic is optimistic or pessimistic about the economy for working-class americans. how much are you paying for gasoline since joe entered the white house? another says i'm optimistic. optimistic that trump is going to jail. jersey girl says pessimistic. the republicans take over in 2023 and they have a habit of destroying the economy. the economy is the most rigged it has ever been. we do not steady chance -- do not stand a chance at equality. shelby is optimistic in georgia. caller: good morning, thank you

very much. the history programming, i'm very optimistic. i have a property in new jersey. i am in georgia with an elder. my retired husband and i have been here with a 90-year-old since march of 2020. this is a 100 year pandemic, trying to make the actual point. we are part of a blessed sacrifice with people work hard,

those people who are in that range are optimistic. they have the capacity for society. we have others, young people at the colleges where we teach, people who come to help us make our lives better. workers who come to take care of a 90-year-old who only make 8-15 dollars. contracts that the government pays. host: has that wage got up any since 2020? caller: we are locked in right now. that is for the build back better plan. that is about human infrastructure. you talk a lot about roads, bridges, energy, we are humans. we are people with needs. the people who are helping us are the ones not making income.

host: kind of lost you there, shelby. we appreciate your input. next up, this is bob on the pessimistic line. caller: i want to talk about the reason i am pessimistic. i don't believe there is enough discussion about the lack of workforce in america. we have 71 million baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964. the modern birth rate being 1.7 children per couple, a couple is even replacing themselves in the workforce. since we have had this covid pandemic, it has exacerbated people out of the workforce. my opinion is basically being driven by the lack of workforce area a publicly traded company

is only able to make 80% of their product due to the lack of workforce and transportation. they are publicly traded. short -- shareholders are projecting profit margins. ceos have no choice but to raise the prices on their products to achieve their goals. the workforce when it comes to inflation, being dependent on china's product, bringing millions of people into this country and watching the economy flourish. host: dennis calling from north carolina. caller: since the president shut

down most of the old stuff here in the state. oil is the heartbeat of this country. we wouldn't be able to have anything up we didn't have oil. are you still there? host: we are listening. caller: even those electric cars, oil is used to make some of the stuff for some of those electric cars. you have to have oil. that will help the economy and because the inflation. i appreciate your time. host: the survey we are doing on optimism or pessimism in the economy. americans have grown a bit more pessimistic. the child care tax credits, and

the stock market pullback. the economic optimism index monthly read on consumer confidence puts seven straight months below the neutral 50 level. they say the silver lining is the six-month economic outlook index is higher. that is from investors. asking you this morning, are you optimistic or pessimistic about the economy? for optimists, (202) 748-8000. if you are pessimistic about the economy, that is (202) 748-8001. for those of you unsure, (202) 748-8002. marvin is pessimistic as well. cleveland, ohio, next up. caller: good morning. i'm not feeling very good about our economy.

like the gentleman said before. oil is used for everything. i believe we should work on the gold standard a little bit. start getting people to work here. there is no reason with this covid and everything going on that people can't be making money. that is how i feel about it. host: frederick, maryland is next. glenn is on the optimistic line. caller: i am optimistic about some of the things happening. rising jobs, however, in frederick there are no jobs. they have retail, warehouse, i am not too optimistic about the

economy. host: your volume -- mute your volume and no ahead. we will let you go there. the vice president, live look here in munich. she is at the security conference meeting with north atlantic treaty organization head jan stoltenberg. this is happening with other world leaders. we will look in and listen in. >> i am here to ensure that through our discussion in the discussions we have had that we continue as these days progress. we understand this is a dynamic moment in time.

to check in -- it is critically important. thank you, again for all that you do and all that you have done. for the support of diplomacy as it relates to be discussions we have had with russia. there will be severe consequences in terms of the economic sanctions we have discussed. host: we are looking and live in munich, vice president kamala harris meeting with nato secretary-general jan stoltenberg. we will bring all vetted and show that to you later in our program schedule on the c-span networks. on the crisis in ukraine, the headline in the usa today, experts hybrid warfare underway.

u.s. and nato allies have been warning for days about imminent russian invasion of ukraine raising the specter of severe casualties and widespread suffering in the event of a war in europe. 150,000 troops on ukraine's border are not the only possible weapons the kremlin has ready. national security experts believe putin has launched a devastating battle of a different time. a hybrid war of disinformation that could help him topple his vulnerable neighbor with far fewer shots fired. we are talking and focusing on the economy. are you optimistic or pessimistic? we will go to morris in asheville, north carolina. caller: i'm 71 years old. i lived in a young man during

the vietnam era. i have come through the racial conflict and all sorts of economic problems. america to be is still the best country in the world. we have so many opportunities here today. we have problems outside of the country that are serious. we have to stop and consider how we will deal with our problems within. we have to stop being against each other by race, religion, politics and become patriotic. learn to get along the best you can. this is the best country in the world. i traveled around the world when i was in the marine corps. i met some great people. this is a beautiful country. we have all the resources, no matter which way we decide to go. thank you.

host: next up is ed in west palm beach, florida. mute your volume on your television and go ahead. caller: the problem with this whole thing is republicans don't want americans to enjoy life, period. the build back better is being denied because it makes american suffered. they want to say see what the democrats did. all the inflation, no republicans showed up. zero participation. none showed up to do their jobs. they refused to give anything, just like they refused to vote against trump.

they praise him, they worshiped him. the constitution is something they used to clean themselves with. host: bill in texas, bill is optimistic. caller: hello? host: you are on the air. caller: i agree to a lot of the few other callers who have been calling in. they need to open up the oil fields. the oil field, i think it is in north dakota, it makes 500,000 barrels a day. he's got it shut down. he shut them down in pennsylvania, texas. that is what causes the gas prices to rise. as soon as he did that in our

area right here, when he took office , gas costs $1.80, now it is $3.05. california is getting hit a lot worse than that. open up the oil fields. he has them shut down because he is a puppet of the people on the left. then he goes over and talks about trying to get opec to have more oil. we have oil right here. there is a pool of oil there that you could run off for 30 years or more just off that one field. host: the senate banking committee heard from advisors who from pride advice to

president biden the chair of the committee asked the chair of the economic council of advisors, a member if the economic recovery was occurring for all americans. >> the stock market always seems to bounce back with the lowest paid workers experiencing the most job losses -- the economic recovery reaches all workers from steelworkers in ohio to newly unionize a -- >> thank you chairman. the president has been very clear on this issue. in fact in his address to congress last year, he said that his economic agenda was to build an economy -- to see strong, stable economic growth. that is why it was so important

when he first came into office to focus on getting our economy, addressing big pandemic and getting us back to full employment so the american rescue plan was so important. there are charts behind us showing some of the successes. getting workers back into jobs. importantly, many of the gains particularly in wages have been felt by workers at the bottom of the wage spectrum. when you get workers back to work, it has a pulling up effect. it has not solved all of the issues with inequities. i want to point out a couple other issues. the administration focused on making sure that pp p program went to those who needed it the most. there is three shirts showing that -- there is research showing that more businesses -- to access that program. that shows that you need to have

a focused attention which is why president biden and the chair has said the whole of government approaches -- to addressing climate change and issues -- it is only to making sure that all of our policies are farthest on being inclusive and making sure these are the -- the top do not -- are not unduly rewarded. host: the rear clear politics tracks -- including this one. president jibed -- president biden's approval rating -- the rcc p average from january 10 to february 15 approve of how the president is handling the economy. -- 57 point 6%.

we are asking you whether you are optimistic or pessimistic about (202) 748-8000 the economy. if you are optimistic (202) 748-8001, if you're pessimistic (202) 748-8001 and if you are unsure (202) 748-8002. a couple of comments on social media and by text. this one says that knowing that the republic cons could take over -- and -- with another -- in california, this text, now five dollars per gallon of gas. biden promised to lower, you can see what happened there. another says business has been slow lately, the payments have been ended. march should be better. larry says, optimistic. wages have grown, we have weathered the covid storm. a congressman from florida says that -- reckless government

spending and radicals -- let us hear from nick in michigan on the optimistic line. caller: hello. i am an optimist. i have been an optimist all of my life. this situation is unsustainable and i am not confident in anyone in the biden administration. biden himself was -- even when he was -- he does not know what he is talking about. the economy is going to help, i am sorry. people spend like good sailors. at least sailors spend their own money and not the taxpayers money. i was a democrat all of my life. there is no single democrat that had a clue how to run this

economy which is the largest economy in the world. it is an unsustainable situation. april think that maybe the democrats did not think that -- they can reach and grab a couple of trillion dollars and call it build back better. that is just another name for bribes and corruption. -- we have that but approval is something that -- how is this attainable when you go for a simple procedure at the hospital which takes -- you do not even stay the night and then the bill comes and it is $20,000. this is for cataract surgery i did on both of my eyes in 2015. i was not even in the hospital. in and out. the bill was $30,000. i was covered, insured. the insurance --

host: to chesapeake, virginia. caller: the economy is crazy. every time democrats get in office, take over both houses, it becomes a spaghetti thing. republicans got go in there and re-strengthen it out because they bubbled everything. i think every of them need to do a -- competence test. why doesn't that happen? so we can use the 25th amendment because it is really necessary right now. if we do not use the 25th, we are going to go down the tube. look at canada. look at everywhere else in the world. they are getting scared.

taiwan is getting scared. everything is going to keep going up. host: the new york times report on the increase of retail sales. unexpectedly climbed. they write that consumer spending makes up the bulk of economic activity in the u.s. the federal reserve shifts its focus to battling inflation to battling -- two supporting growth. the central break is expected to raise interest rates. -- it is david in missouri. he is on the unsure line. tell us why. caller: i try to keep an open mind about rising costs. i am on a fixed income, disabled. i do not understand how all of these people that savor dutch that say they are republicans --

i am not worried about who is doing what to whom. i am worried why prices are so high. -- the president supporting the pipeline -- it makes no sense. can somebody tell me why things have gone up so much? not just because of the pandemic and because people do not want to go out and work anymore, -- gas prices in our state are $3.69. something has to give. we are out here suffering. the prices have gotten -- can anyone have a suggestion about how to get this rolling? host: you think eliminating or temporarily eliminating the gas tax would help at all? caller: it might relieve it some of the whole problem is we are worried about, it seems we are

worried about buying all of our fuel from buying -- from other countries. i do not understand this. host: noel from new york who is optimistic about the economy. caller: good morning. i am calling because i feel optimistic about -- it is important to understand that what mr. biden is doing. -- believe that they are supposed to get everything easily, -- he put on over $8 trillion. -- what i am saying to mr.

biden, we have to talk to the people. that is why he -- is going down. he has to stand up and -- that is it. host: thank you for that. we had several calls asking about -- talking about the high prices of gas and suggesting that oil production is down across the country, particularly in the biden administration. this website asked the question, why is not u.s. shale production soaring? here are some notes from that article. they say that with oil prices returning to break $100, many consumers are -- they say the major reason why shale companies are reluctant to increase production is that they have to keep shareholders happy. other issues include the

shrinking number of's sweet spots for them to tap for that oil. here is james in louisiana on the unsure line. caller: i want to think you for being the town square for this country. i am confused because i want to be optimistic but i do not think we are together on why we have some of the issues we have. right now it seems inflation is the biggest issue in our region we have been having inflation for the last two years that started with all of the hurricanes the last couple of years being more intense. the bad weather in the region has caused shortages in building materials and labor costs going up, that has been going on

before president biden was elected. -- inflation in this region has caused us to go up. we do not seem to have any comprehensive ability to discern what is going on in our own backyard. we do not seem to have any unity about what is important to the entire nation with all of the issues. we need to unify as americans and focus on not the philosophies of the problems but focus on how us, the united states are going to deal with us and our neighbors. i am optimistic because covid is

almost off. in my opinion, covid was one of the most -- factors of why our economy -- although it indicates indicates it is strong, we do not feel it is strong. as covid duane's and we get a control on that, i think we are going to start to be where we used to be. host: more the center heating -- more from the senate hearing. -- from montana asked for comparisons of the economy pre-pandemic and what it is now. >> looking back at the economy from 2020, we saw what i would describe as a goldilocks economy. we had wage growth across the board, inflation was in check, wages were actually growing the fastest for individuals on the

lowest -- to me this broad-based , not inflationary growth was about as good as it gets. my question for the panel is this. would you agree that pre-pandemic economy from february of 2020 was better than the economic picture that we see today? yes or no would suffice. >> i will agree that the pre-pandemic economy on net was looking fairly strong, however that pre-pandemic economy reflected many years of rather any mixed growth. it was reflecting even in terms of wage growth at the median -- there have been decades where as a median there has not been robust wage growth. we know that there were gaps in rage -- i would argue that while

in february of 2020, the bones of the economy were strong, there were weaknesses there. this president felt we should address them. that is why his economic agenda is designed to increase economic capacity in order to generate more robust sustainable growth that can be more equitably shared. host: other news this morning on new york civil fraud investigation. choque is ordered to investigate -- donald trump ordered to testify. to have his adult children must testify under old as part of the civil fraud investigation into the former president his company. the office of the new york attorney general has subpoenaed donald trump and to have his children, a ivanka trump and donald trump, jr.. seeking testimony from all

three. state supreme court justice denied to block or delay the subpoenas and ordered them to appear within three weeks. he ordered donald trump to hand over documents within two weeks. -- commencing a business entity -- wants to question under old several of the entities principles including its namesake. -- she has the clear right to do so. asking you this first hour, are you optimistic or pessimistic about the economy. if you are optimistic your number is. (202) 748-8000 -- if you're pessimistic (202) 748-8001 (202) 748-8001 your number is, if (202) 748-8002 you are unsure your number is (202) 748-8002 that is code-2 -- let us go to detroit. caller: there are african

nations that have barrels of oil on the ground and not tapped. there is no reason why we should be talking about high gas prices and less these oil nations around the world are keeping the price of the oil at the level that is in. gasoline should sell more -- guess leeches so no more than four dollars per gallon. we have so much greed in our corporations that produce oil. this is why we are where we are at. we keep the american people and the rest of the world in the dark about how and what those corporations are doing because of the financial expertise that they have two control what they need to control. america and the world to wake up. they made the prices that does not exist. there are plenty of oil in the ground. god did not leave us short.

that is all i have to say. host: on social media, on twitter. this one says corporate greed and -- the richer seeing record profit. our only hope is to get rid of most democrats, that's what this one says. -- at least they are not people. janet says democrats are the cleanup crew. remember -- president biden is just cleaning up the donald trump residency. dan in michigan on the optimistic line. caller: good morning. i'm very optimistic. here in southwest michigan, if we could get rid of the bad weather -- there are jobs everywhere. in fact, we have a shortage of workers. we need worker training,

apprenticeships and stuff like that. host: which industry needs it most in michigan? caller: the auto industry. i am an aging toolmaker and they are keeping me on three days a week because for 20 years they did not make any tool makers. it is not a hard course if you know basic math and are willing to get off your but. host: why not? is there not an apprentice program? that is a pretty good union job, i would suspect. caller: i work in a nonunion shop and make $30 per hour. the unions drive the wages. i work in a nonunion job. host: you said you or aiden aging toolmaker, how old are you? caller: i will be 66 next month.

host: why haven't people entered that career? caller: i have no idea. i am self-taught. i am probably one of the last self-taught tool makers around. i started out as basic machinist , machine operator in the 1970's. i worked in the auto industry almost exclusively here in southwest michigan. i worked way way up to machinist. they got -- i looked around and said this tool making stuff, they cannot make a machine to replace that. that is why when into it. host: we want to let you know about some of our coverage on the c-span networks. at 10:00 right after the house pro forma, mike pompeo will discuss nuclear strategy and deterrence. it is a discussion at 10:00.

also this morning on c-span2, senator tom young will be joining the policy center to discuss u.s. -- also available on our mobile app. it is our free mobile app. yesterday, here is the headline. the latest saga of the spending bill, the temporary spending bill, -- the senate cleared a short-term spending bill thursday after democrats feedback and -- could've triggered a shutdown -- partial shutdown this weekend. this will extend funding -- to pass and overdue omnibus program for the fiscal year that began last october. let us hear from lily on the unsure line in alabama. caller: hello.

i have three unsure reasons why -- when it comes to reporters and all of the questions they asked the president -- they are not the questions we want to hear. when it comes to the -- i'm wondering the reason -- they only focus on the intercity -- i do to understand why they are focusing on the whole state. with republicans -- of what they are doing for the american people compared to what the parties are doing for american people -- that is what it seems like to me when i see things. show us what each party has done to make america better. that is what i would like to see. i would be unsure to see what --

if you have stock in oil that means you make money, if you do not have any, you are paying money. when it comes to the intercity, -- host: let us go to maryland on the optimistic line. caller: i appreciate you allowing me to come on. historically if you would -- from the republican party going back to nixon, you would find out that there was a deficit in the economy left in shambles. every republic -- every republican administration -- i

would like for you to educate the pop -- the pessimistic republicans listing on c-span. the historical record of the administrations under the republican party and the democratic party, earlier said that republicans mess it up and democrats come in and clean it up. would you help the people, especially your eye and educated pessimistic republican party members, help them with education? they call in angry, talking about the border, talking about biden, talking about the stuff they do not understand because they are not educated. educate the people and help them. host: what area we have not

touched on his housing. the housing shortage has been touched on. it was brought up yesterday by senator mark warner in virginia. >> housing -- will not happen overnight. this is a long-term problem that has been developing. beyond just direct government programs, there are tax initiatives -- that i think makes them private sector -- give that kind of -- construction to developers, we should use these in our toolbox if you will. >> yes, that is an extremely set of questions and let me begin by thanking you for your leadership

on this work and as well as others on the committee. we start by saying why this is so important. underscoring some of the points you make, senator. there are a long-term housing shortfall. 150,000 units -- multiply that by 10 and you get to the number you are suggesting as far as i shortfall. -- in the bottom half of the market and why? because math is not always add up for builders to build along with the problem of exclusionary zoning problems. this makes this key to the equity agenda especially in rural areas and areas of color. the issue you raise is that of inflation. shelter is -- housing experts recently wrote that if policymakers are serious about writing inflation, they have

little choice than to take on the shortfall in housings five. what can we do? the administration is already using executive power to increase housing supply and access. we have coordinated with various agencies spanning from freddie and hud -- affordable units over the next years. the administration toolbox is not nearly as big enough to deal with the supply shortage that goes back a decade at least. host: this comment on twitter from elizabeth. she has been looking at new developments. they all have electric charging stations because people are buying electric vehicles. it is becoming walnut creek and concord. it is released from all of the choking oil. a couple more calls here on our morning opener. are you optimistic or pessimistic on the economy? on the pessimistic line, john. caller: how are you today?

this gentleman that you just had on, he was talking about supply shortage -- shortfalls. let me elaborate on this. let me help educate your previous two callers. they talk about corporate greed and ceo bonuses and elevated stock prices. you have this president biden coming into office, shuts down the pipeline, he constricts the oil market. you have a supply shortfall. let's look at a manufacturer, say an auto plant that has 10 cars they have to sell in order to break even to pay their employees for all the

manufacturing and materials that go into the production of a vehicle. let's say you have a supply shortfall and instead of having 10 vehicles to sell, you only have six. so in order to break even, you have to raise the prices on those six vehicles. are you following me? we sure are. -- host: we sure are. caller: when you shut the oil supply down and create a production shortfall and you still need the demand with the oil, what happens when you have less oil to supply the same demand? your democratic administration comes in and shuts down the pipeline, puts the squeeze on everything. oil producers still need to make their money and break even. you want to talk about corporate greed, $3.50 a gallon in

pennsylvania. who is benefiting? your stockholders aren't suffering because the price still went up. your corporate profits are still going to be there. your bonuses are>> "washington " continues. host: it is open forum for the final half-hour you could call in on any news item, public policy, anything and politics you are following. (202) 748-8001 for republicans. democrats, (202) 748-8000. all others, (202) 748-8002. the latest reporting on the conflict between russia and ukraine, up to 190 thousand russian troops on ukraine border. this is from the hill. a u.s. envoy detailed reports of up to 190 thousand russian troops along the ukrainian border.

opec had evidence that russian troops are now at the border compared to around 100,000. here's what defense one says poland is doing. poland to buy $6 billion in tanks, bridges, explosives. russia's advancing forces grow to 190,000. let's go to kevin first in the open forum. caller: good morning, how are you doing? i wanted to make a comment on mr. bydlak's point. people think they are funding medicare by these taxes but they are really underfunding it. i wonder how you would respond, i know he is not there. the medicare tax related to

obamacare of 2.8 percent for incomes over a particular threshold. at some point you are funding it. at what income level are you actually funding it? thanks for taking my call. host: in texas, mike is up next on the democrat line. caller: you had some real good callers. the thing i don't understand, we paid into social security our whole life. host: you are breaking up a little bit. caller: people that have medicare paying $171 a month for office visits that they hardly ever use unless they are sick. i don't understand. one other point.

what really drives me crazy is the legal system. it goes in favor of the politicians and the elites. the average person, they put the lie right onto them and they have the family values and everything now. it is hypocritical. how long could this go on? how long can we talk about family values and religion? that is my point. host:: the u.s., here's the story about how many u.s. troops are in poland. giving reassurance to allies. the new york times says the last of the nearly 5000 troops arrived in poland on thursday.

bringing reassurance to a pivotal nato ally. the expertise in assisting with the evacuation of possible american. here are the numbers. another 1000 american troops from the cavalry regimen from germany to romania should be in place by saturday. the reinforcements with more than double the number of american ground forces to 9000 in poland and 2000 and romania. u.s. soldiers, russian troops, and proximity outside of drills in years. janice is on the republican line in arizona. caller: i feel very lucky that i live in arizona. our governor did not shut our state down. we were able to keep our business open.

these people have never run a business. we have to pay taxes -- small corporations like our business that makes over $400,000 a year, that has to be given to taxes. we never put $400,000 in our pocket. why would we give somebody tax credits for daycare when they are not even working? they have also taken this. we had 3 million people hit our border. everyone takes this as a joke. put them in the states that are not stuck with them. we will see what the hospitals and schools go through.

biden wants $30 billion more in medicare money? it could be proved, they don't deny it. this gasping, my husband works -- it cost us $500 to $800 more about than gas -- in gas. washington doesn't pay for gas. nancy pelosi gets military wherever she wants to go. i see them get out of those limos, who is paying for that? i love this country, i want it safe. i have eight grandkids, i don't know how they will bake it in this world. host: minnesota representative

dies of cancer. representative jim hagedorn has died with a 2 -- after a two-year long battle with kidney cancer. he served in congress and followed his father who represented the same district in the late 1970's and early 1980's. fox correspondent weakness about jim hagedorn. he says he is the third house member to die. a new breakdown of the house is 433 members, 220 two democrats, 211 republicans. his colleague in the minnesota delegation, i'm saddened by my colleague, we had different political views but a respectful friendship and a shared love for minnesota. condolences to the family.

may his memory for a blessing. senator ben ray lujan sent this in a tweet this morning. through the love and support of my family, medical team, and new mexicans i'm getting stronger each day. thank you for the well wishes from folks across the country. i'm back at work and will return to the senate floor soon. the senator had a stroke a couple of weeks ago. seattle, washington, it is stephen on the independent line. dog head. tash go ahead. caller: democracy is failing in the united states. that is a lot to do with the way we do election. the electoral college means our presidents are decided by the electoral vote but not by the popular vote.

we have presidents that were not the will of the american people. similarly, the senate is disproportionate. otherwise it is not democratic. also, a lot of things could be decided democratically by national referendum. i just had some colleagues talking about the cost of medicare. if americans could decide by referendum, it would probably pass by more than 70%. it is really a constitutional crisis. insignificant changes to the constitution, i don't think democracy will survive.

host: let's hear from george on the democrat line. caller: i'm calling because there are so many things that i find that we could be thankful for and do together. in this environment we will never get anything done if the republicans and democrats, in my opinion they have worked so very hard to be disingenuous instead of the opposite. we are going nowhere. i understand now. the emotions to allow veterans,

to give them special license wherever they want to. to give them a special license to shoot people i believe it is in tennessee. the second thing i am really upset about is that in georgia -- it is in florida, they have found that republicans have gone to these different housing complexes where people are elderly and not as sharp. they forced them to change their affiliation. that needs to be investigated.

people needs to be charged. it needs to stop. host: the house is coming in a few minutes. should be a brief session at 10:00 eastern. a couple of things about the voting on capitol hill. proxy abuse, house democrats you don't talk to congress spent big on campaign travel. house speaker announced last week that she will extend the march 30 the proxy voting system in place for lawmakers to announcer: coming up next coming