It's still the economy, stupid
The New York Times has an opinion piece this week about the life of a Maine lobsterman. It ends on a downbeat note: The guys on the boats are voting for Trump because the prices of gas and groceries are too high.
It's always thus. The ills of the economy are blamed on the incumbent, in this case the vice president. Whether that's fair or not, she and her crew had better listen up and come up with a better response than they've had so far.
I was in a Safeway the other day to pick up something for a late lunch. In the deli section, they had those small bags of chips, the ones that contain a single serving. And not anything "artisanal," just Lays or Doritos to go with your sandwich.
They were demanding $2.69 a bag for those. And no deal for "club" members. A Coke to wash it down with was another two bucks; that was as low as you could get it. And that's Safeway, not a hipster grocery joint. I passed on the chips.
People think these prices are too much. And it's going to be as big a factor in the upcoming elections as the culture war stuff or the foreign policy minefields.
For young workers like Mr. Amaro and Mr. Leach and millions of other Americans like them who are busting their humps week in and week out trying to get ahead, the price of gas, groceries and housing is perhaps the most important factor in determining their vote. Not abortion, not Gaza, not the war in Ukraine. As long as the perception that Mr. Trump will do a better job with the economy remains unchallenged, the Democrats will pay a price at the polls, perhaps a dear one.
I hate to hear that, but it's probably true, isn't it? So what's the response going to be from the Donkey Team?
By all means, let’s vote for the candidate who is proposing 20% tariffs all around and 100% on goods from China, and who wants to deport eleven million workers. And pay no attention to the comparison of inflation rates post-pandemic between the United States and other advanced economies.
ReplyDeleteBy all means let’s insult the people whose votes we need by dismissing them with a bunch of egghead jargon above their education level. At least you’ll get to wallow in Trump Derangement Syndrome for another 4 years. Hope you didn’t throw out your “In our house…” sign
DeleteBy all means, let’s ignore the source of inflation that’s eroding the existence we once enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine had to pay those dumpster tariffs on steel when he had a fence built several years ago. Added a significant amount to his project. Perhaps highlighting that deporting the 11 million "illegals" will increase food prices so much we will all choose to go hungry rather than pay prices double or triple what we had been paying - if we can even get those products. Btw - small bags of chips at Winco are 48 cents - and Shasta in the drink machine for 50 cents.
ReplyDeleteThe nearest Winco is 5 miles from me. My limit for grocery shopping is 2½ miles.
DeleteAre you still boycotting Fred Meyer?
DeleteYes. I have not been in a Fred Meyer store since September 2021.
DeleteI've found Fred Meyer to be less expensive than Safeway, but I know you're determined to avoid it. As another reader noted, Winco's prices are more reasonable than those of the major grocery chains. If the proposed merger between Kroger and Safeway/Albertson's is approved, food inflation will get worse in this country.
ReplyDeleteGrocery store inflation has been high, but I've noticed that restaurant inflation is even higher. Several restaurants in my area have closed in recent months, and I believe this is because their constantly raised prices drove their customers away.
ReplyDeleteBetter get used to it. After all, Kroger just admitted under oath to price gouging as part of their antitrust hearings about their proposed merger with Safeway / Albertsons: https://www.newsweek.com/kroger-executive-admits-company-gouged-prices-above-inflation-1945742
ReplyDeleteExpect everything to get more expensive if that goes through, or to be driving quite the distance to get out from under the monopoly.
Nobody is willing to take on the Federal Reserve and the Banking class. They are the ones creating dollars, setting interest rates, and paying off the political class to do their bidding. Food price increases are just a symptom of allowing this unconstitutional currency debasement scam.
ReplyDelete