The 23% increase in food prices is overshadowing the 2008 election. As Barack Obama heads to the Democratic Convention in Denver, the price of a gallon of milk has a reached $5 in some states. Issues like the war; mortgage crisis, corporate cutbacks and fuel costs do not hit the average American like the daily expense of feeding your family.
One of many fabricated factors that went into justifying the war in Iraq was Americans would enjoy lower fuel costs. Nothing could be further from the truth we ponder why we really went to Iraq. Yet, everyday, Americans face increasing costs at the grocery store. The $4.50 a gallon gas prices tell the story.
At best, with coupons and specials the cost of groceries prices have gone up considerably. Cold cuts at the local grocery store are higher than ever. My four-month observation of Virginia ham demonstrates this point. In March, Virginia ham was $3.99 a pound. Now, in most Baltimore, Maryland grocery stores it is $7.99.
In addition to the increase, Americans are facing a difficult economy. That means that most people are trying to make ends meet, have overloaded their credit cards and are behind on their bills. So this increase at the basic level of eating is distressing.
Baltimore is blessed with a number of downtown grocery stores that are within walking distance. However, prices are going up. Just outside of the city in Baltimore County, suburb people enjoy better prices. This is the catch 22 for city residents; spend more money on gas to buy groceries at lower prices. Is the trade off worth it?
Amazingly, this has not been at the center of the 2008 election debate. Simply talking about special interests in Washington does not cover the price of bread. Americans are shouldering this cost, but which candidate is talking about the dilemma? There is a need for relief.
Whoever becomes president in November faces these huge challenges. End the war and direct resources back at home for Americans? Or invade Iran and start another war creating more costs? The choices are many, but who will be a leader to support what we need as Americans right here and now?
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And here we are in 2009,
And here we are in 2009, when Obama has won the elections, passing through an awful time with this financial crisis. And yet, the prices are still rising. What is more is that most of the stores don't accept credit cards anymore.