Consumers in the United States boosted spending at a slower 0.6% rate in September, a cautionary sign for an economy that remains in the grip of a pandemic and a prolonged bout of high inflation, according to a new article from the Associated Press. What does that mean exactly? The hell if I know. It is apparent, however, that prices on everything have gone up and supply shortages are damaging every industry. Gas prices are out of control and even our everyday groceries have seen significant increases in pricing. 

Here’s a link to the article from The Associated Press telling you everything you need to know about what’s happening in America.

I think the bigger message in the article is the imagery they chose to use. For whatever reason, they have decided to use pictures of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons jerseys and other 76ers apparel. Is AP suggesting that the drama we have endured over the last four months while dealing with Ben Simmons and all of the drama surrounding his relationship with Embiid and the 76ers is a direct relation to the inflation crisis we are currently dealing with?

AP had this as the caption for the image:

A fan shops for souvenirs, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in Philadelphia. U.S. consumer confidence rose in October after three straight declines as the public’s anxiety about the delta variant of coronavirus appear to have abated. The Conference Board reported Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 that its consumer confidence index rose to a reading of 113.8 in October, up from 109.8 in September. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, file)

The “anxiety” had nothing to do with the delta variant. The Phillies missed the playoffs for the 10th straight year. The Eagles are horrendous. And yes, Ben Simmons has ruined the mental health stability of everyone in Philly.

I mean, are you kidding me? The Associated Press is essentially pawning America’s systemic, decades-long failure to improve its economy onto Ben Simmons and the Sixers. What kind of lazy, obstructionist rag are they running over there?

The mere idea of America’s oldest newswire essentially making the Sixers the face of an economic crisis is ridiculous. But, as Philadelphians, this is what we and our teams go through year in and year out. At least we could shrug off Deadspin as the website that got dropped on its head as a baby, but the AP? This is more than a national conspiracy. It’s damn near global.

The Sixers are off to a slow start this season as well, barely hanging on to beat a lousy Detroit Pistons team last night. Perimeter defense is shaky, Joel Embiid is hurt, and Ben Simmons still hasn’t taken the court yet. More from AP:

For the July-September quarter as a whole, consumer spending, which fuels about 70% of overall economic activity, weakened to an annual growth rate of just 1.6%. That was down significantly from the previous quarter. 

Purchases of goods slowed to a 0.5% rise in September, compared with a 1.6% increase in August. More Americans have been shifting their spending away from the physical goods that many purchased while hunkered down at home to spending on services, from haircuts to airline tickets to restaurant meals. In some cases, a shortage of products, related to bottlenecked supply chains, are keeping a lid on goods purchases.

Like Paul Reed, US wages are stuck in the mud and these numbers directly align with the 76ers season. Before July, we were still thinking about a finals run in Philadelphia. After Game 7 against the Hawks, everything changed. Contrary to what the national media might tell you, people were buying a lot of Ben Simmons merchandise, which has obviously stalled over the past five months. Now we are in the middle of a huge inflation crisis. 

I’m not an economist whatsoever, but I do know that these things are happening in our country right now. AP are the ones who suggested that the 76ers are responsible and I’m just here to make sure you know that’s the narrative being pushed on the national level. 

Mandatory Credit: AP | Matt Slocum