California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) recently stirred controversy by insinuating that reports of inflation causing economic strain for Americans this Thanksgiving were fabrications perpetuated by conservatives. Newsom’s assertion, shared on X, aimed to debunk inflation worries, claiming that prices for Thanksgiving essentials had declined, accompanied by a chart displaying Labor Department data reflecting decreased prices for items like peas, milk, stuffing, pie crusts, turkey, and cranberries compared to the previous year.
While the chart might suggest price drops in specific items, it fails to address the broader issue of inflation, which had surged significantly in recent years. Last year, the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal hit a record high. This year’s prices, though slightly lower than last year’s highs, remain notably elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, marking a 14.7% increase from 2021 and a substantial 25% surge from 2019, as reported by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).
Governor Newsom’s emphasis on the 18% rise in the average hourly wage over three years overlooks the grim impact of surging inflation on workers’ purchasing power. The skyrocketing inflation rates have hindered the real gains workers might have enjoyed from increased wages. Concerns over inflation have pervaded various sectors, from essentials like groceries and gas prices to other crucial expenditures.
A survey conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that two-thirds of respondents reported a rise in expenses, contrasting with only a quarter noting a corresponding increase in income. The economic sentiment remains grim, with approximately 75% of those surveyed describing the current state of the economy as poor.
Illustrating the broader implications of inflation, Halloween candy prices experienced a double-digit surge for the second consecutive year, spiking by a substantial 13% compared to the previous October. Additionally, Southern California faced soaring gas prices in September, surpassing an average of $6 per gallon in some counties, further straining household budgets.
Highlighting the potential impact of policy decisions, a report from the Alliance for Consumers suggested that regulations under the Biden administration might have led to an estimated $9,000 increase in expenses for American homeowners due to price hikes in various consumer goods like cars, washing machines, gas stoves, and dishwashers. These factors collectively depict a broader narrative of persistent inflation affecting Americans across various aspects of daily life, contrary to Newsom’s isolated depiction of decreasing prices in some items.
