The Bureau of Labor Statistics brings to attention that the costs associated with a regular Labor Day barbecue have experienced a substantial rise since the steady hand of leadership passed on to the Biden-Harris administration at the start of 2021. To provide perspective, common barbecue staples have undergone dramatic price escalations during the span of the Biden-Harris governance. An outlining of the numbers further reveals the changes: Ground beef has seen a 26% surge; hot dogs have escalated by 25%; the cost of chicken has risen by 23%; biscuit prices have gone up by 28%; beer prices have increased by 16%; lettuce has risen by 21%, while condiments have soared by 24%.
On transition day back in January 2021, when former President Trump concluded his term, the inflation rate was a moderate 1.4%. But, the new administration’s dawn was shadowed by a meteoric inflation climb. Segueing from a mere 2.6% in March 2021, the inflation rate ascended to 4.2% by May 2021.
Labor Day barbecues are more expensive than ever thanks to to the failed economic policies of Kamala Harris:
?Beef: 26%?
?Hot Dogs: 25%?
?Chicken: 23%?
?Biscuits: 28%?
?Beer: 16%?
?Lettuce: 21%?
?Condiments: 24%? pic.twitter.com/Io4GeMcNUf— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 2, 2024
The stepping stones in the inflation journey under Biden-Harris led to a peak of 5.4% by July 2021, proceeding on to 6.2% in October of the same year. As we bid farewell to 2021, the inflation rate toppled to a staggering 7%. The accelerating pace carried over to 2022, with the rate resting at 8.5% in March and eventually reaching 9.1% by June.
Roughly two and a half years into the Biden-Harris leadership, not before June 2023, the inflation rate witnessed a much-awaited relief, sinking back to a more manageable 3.0%. Christine Smith, the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, expressed her concern at the onset of these economic fluctuations.
Smith’s discussion in early March highlighted an economy still grappling to recuperate from the aftershocks of COVID-19-induced supply chain upheavals. This period was marked by a swift and substantial influx of funding, which ended up stoking consumer demand way too hot, too quick. In effect, this led to a historical pressure of inflation, engulfing the entire fabric of the U.S. economy.
The drastic cascading effects of rising food prices had an echo effect, which spiraled over to transportation, energy, and housing sectors, each recording alarming surges in prices. Consumer prices, consequentially, rose to an unprecedented level, almost 20%, spanning from January 2021.
The committee further noted the inflationary pattern established over the last three years (37 months). This pattern has led to an inflation pace that supersedes any experienced during any other administration, the only exception being sure, the Carter era.
In the throes of this economic shift, prominent television anchor, Erin Burnett of CNN, couldn’t refrain from addressing this issue directly with President Biden. During an interview in May, she recounted, ‘Grocery bills have grown by over 30 percent since the pandemic’s break out. The average household’s food expenditure now surpasses what it’s been in the past three decades. The daily struggle of the common man can’t be ignored.’
Unexpectedly, the President met the question with optimism rather than apprehension. His response was one that pointed to a growing economy rather than a struggling one, with more people finding it within their budgets to splurge rather than skimp. ‘In truth, when one considers the resources at hand, people do have the funds to spend’, retorted the President.
The town of Average Joe appears to paint a conflicting picture though. Rising grocery bills, rapidly escalating living expenses and the economic uncertainty offered by an economy still reeling from the repercussions of a global health crisis are presenting themselves as growing concerns. The question remains whether these concerns occupy a noticeable space in the national conversation.
It’s important to note, though, that inflation and rising costs aren’t exclusively a domestic issue. Global factors, like international trade policies and commodity prices, play a significant role as well. As such, it’s worth keeping an eye on international updates and shifts to gain a more comprehensive understanding of our economic trajectory.
Across the nation, households are tuning in closely to these changes, monitoring their effects on their day-to-day lives. The realities of these escalating costs aren’t limited to the abstract realm of economic discourse, but rather, they’re tangible burdens our fellow citizens bear.
Every day, families are having to reassess their budgets and spending habits. Where they once were able to comfortably afford a simple barbecue, they are now met with a shocking receipt that tells a different story. These startling increases reflect the state of our country’s financial climate, one that requires careful consideration and decisive action.
Nevertheless, the administration’s optimism and commitment to navigate through these turbulent economic waters are reassuring signs. With wide-spread attention converging on the surging costs of living, it is an expectation that ameliorative solutions shall be on the horizon.
As civic-minded citizens, we shall continue to observe, question, and engage in constructive dialogue. For it’s through our collective efforts that optimal solutions can be devised, steering the nation towards prosperity while maintaining regard for all.