Why you shouldn't let this new poll on the economy drive you mad

A new poll shows Americans are practically delusional about the state of the U.S. economy.

The Harris poll conducted for The Guardian made the following findings, which vary wildly from reality:

• 55% say the U.S. economy is shrinking. (The reality: The economy has expanded every year during Joe Biden's presidency.)  

• 56% say the U.S. is in recession. (The reality: 7 straight quarters of positive GDP growth.)

• 49% say stocks are down YTD. (The reality: S&P 500 stock market index is up more than 12% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average just surged past 40,000 for the first time ever.)

• 49% say unemployment is at a 50-year high. (The reality: It hit a 50-year low under Biden, remaining under 4% for longer than any period since the 1960s.)

It's difficult to look at those results without wondering what kind of diabolical house of mirrors we are living in. Even so, The Bulwark crew took on this poll in “The Next Level” podcast and found some silver linings in it given the current state of the presidential race.