XWord Muggles Forum

OK, I've stepped out and created my very first puzzle, so go easy on me. It's also a meta because I've been getting into these recently and thought I'd give it a try. Turns out these things are really hard to construct! I've definitely made some concessions to crossword conventions in order to get the grid filled. But hopefully I've made up for any shortcomings with some fun cluing. Enjoy!

Title: Financial Downturn
Meta Prompt: The answer to the meta is something that would surely have felt the bern had history gone differently

Available to solve online here: https://crosshare.org/crosswords/4DxgBqcHR4PwVbG4bkjA

PDF from PUZ - 1 page

EXCEL

The solution is posted here: viewtopic.php?f=14&p=66893#p65918

Nudges, in order of increasing blatancy:

1. In the meta hint, "feel the bern" refers to Bernie Sanders and a parallel universe where he becomes president of the US.

2. The direction "down" is involved (puzzle title, clue for the central word).

3. There is also a clue in the top and bottom rows.

4. In the top row you find CEOS. In the bottom row you find "The REST of us".

5. Try to find a connection between CORPORATETAXCUT and REST.

6. Start on the E in CORPORATETAXCUT.

7. Start on the E in CORPORATETAXCUT. You can follow the word "ECONOMICS" down to REST. What does the nature of this pathway suggest?

After a ton of help, I have submitted!
And confirmed. There’s a cat under the couch in the transporter room.

Done and submitted on Crosshare -- congratulations on debut and thanks for a fun puzzle!

Solved with nudges. Nice debut!

Got it (Crosshare) -- but never would have without the lucky 7 nudges.
Fun grid -- congrats on your debut, Ben!

Got it but needed the nudges.
EDIT: Confirmed on Crosshare.
Very nice debut puzzle.

Submitted (and confirmed) via Crosshare.

Impressive debut... keep them coming!

Good debut! A word of caution: this is how @madhatter5 started...

Not yet confirmed but pretty sure. Very clever!

And yes, as Peter says, you are on a dangerous path


Edit: confirmed!

I'm not sure what the etiquette is, but here's the leaderboard for successful solvers of "Financial Downturn":

1. Dannyvee
2. Meg
3. BrennerTJ
4. whimsy
5. RPardoe
6. boharr
7. Al Sisti
8. Abide
9. madhatter5

I have three more metas completed and ready to come out each week on Wednesdays, so be on the lookout!

Here's the answer to the meta:

TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMICS

And here's an image of the completed grid with all of the mechanics revealed:
Hope you enjoyed this puzzle. The plan is to release one a week on Tuesdays. So be on the lookout for the next one, which should be somewhat easier.

Looking forward to it.

I came to this one very late (was traveling), and came up with an answer, though I suspected I was missing something, and there was more to it. But, aha, here in this thread are the spoilers and solution. I was correct-a-mundo (sp?)! Fun!

Congrats on this first puzzle, Ben! I wish I could have solved the meta, but sadly this topic isn't in my knowledge area. I enjoyed the grid fill anyway.