Remarkable. A federal government that works for the people against the greed of corporations. And I have no doubt that Harris and Walz will build on this effort.
Republicans? They show every day that they work against the people's interests and, in fact, will cripple the government to suit their political interests.
Remarkable. A federal government that works for the people against the greed of corporations. And I have no doubt that Harris and Walz will build on this effort.
Republicans? They show every day that they work against the people's interests and, in fact, will cripple the government to suit their political interests.
Contrast the work that Walz championed to make sure that children are fed so that they can learn with Republican'ts failure to continue the child tax credit. How can returning millions of children to poverty be a slogan for their idea of government's responsibility to its people?
Remember the Republicans won't pass gun legislation banning weapons like the AR-15. Currently, gun violence is the leading cause of children's deaths. These Republicans are heinous people who don't want to feed hungry children, don't want to fund public education, and are perfectly fine with small children being gunned down in their classrooms and other places. What kind of wicked people are these??!!
Jenn, Very pious and religious ones. Just ask them and their millions of evangelical followers. I am an evangelical Christian, and my People have been brainwashed over the last fifty years that abortion is evil in all circumstances, the RтАЩs are on their side in that, and thus nothing else matters. Everything you said is 100% true, and I agree with you 100%; however, there are literally
Millions of one issue voters. There really areтАжтАжтАж.It drives me insane, and is so shallow and stupid, and WRONG, and yes wicked.
The coalition of the fat cats of the world, fatter then ever before in our history, plus now that such fat cats control media not just industry, the repulsive wing of racists and creeps, PLUS the тАЬChristiansтАЭ is such a powerful group that a vile, perverted, evil and corrupt person like Trump can actually be elected. Our country is a mess right now. Plus, social media is a cancer. There is no shared reality anymore. Walter Cronkite and the local daily paper are not coming back. I am still fearful about the future even if we get rid of the poison that is Trump.
Thank you for putting this truth as baldly as it deserves. I continue to wonder what RepublicansтАЩ morals are. Every time I see an ad on TV asking for contributions to feed starving AMERICAN CHILDREN, I wonder. Having never voted for a Republican since Eisenhower, I watch them with increasing disgust. History gives some clues about their meanness, but not enough.
That has been one of my hot buttons for years. A well nourished child learns better than a hungry child. Study after study have shown this to be true.
When my daughter was in school, I was upset because the school would prevent kids that hadn't paid for lunch from eating and/or they would shame a child for getting Federally subsidized lunch. When we switched school districts everyone went through the line and got what they wanted. Plus breakfast was free as well. No shaming.
A well educated populace starts with well fed kids.
Gary, my late husband was a middle-school shop teacher. About five years before we passed the bill providing free breakfast and lunch to all Minnesota students, Glen came home on a Friday afternoon and just headed into his workroom in our basement. Usually, he was happy on Fridays - the weekend and all - but when I went down to ask about dinner I could see he was upset.
Turns out that on his way out of school that afternoon, he encountered one of his students carrying two backpacks - one on front, one on her back. She was smiling and skipping down the hall. Glen asked her what was in the packs so she showed him - food. She was happy because she would have something to eat over the weekend (provided by the local food shelf and organized by a few teachers). Glen was in tears he was so upset.
The following Monday, Glen volunteered to help with the Friday back pack hand outs. And learned a while lot about kids and hunger in his rather wealthy suburban school district.
CanтАЩt tell you how thrilled I was when Walz signed that bill providing free breakfast and lunch. And though Glen had died two years before that,
Your last comments says it in a nutshell. The GOP does not want a well educated populace. The less-informed, the easier for them to take control. That is why they want to dismantle public education.
Betsy: the republicans do not want government to have responsibility for the people. They have been very consistent in that regard. They want to return us to the golden ($$$) pre-Roosevelt age of monopolies, seniors eating cat food, workers who are dependent on keeping their low-paid jobs just to have crappy health insurance, legalized misogyny and racism, single moms who canтАЩt work because they canтАЩt afford childcare (oops, thatтАЩs still true), etc. This is one of their most successful tools in keeping тАЬWe The PeonsтАЭ angry but accepting of their oligarchsтАЩ terms.
"A federal government that works for the people against the greed of corporations."
The Founders were aware of how pernicious unrestrained, government insinuated corporations could be. The British East India Company. It was their tea that got dumped in Boston Harbor.
Republicans? They sell out the common weal, and they sell out posterity, so long as they can maximize their own power.
Great example JL. They were one of the first Common Stock companies and even had their own private armies. That's how some mothers feel as they try to feed their families these days. Who do they blame: the gov'mnt! Who is to blame: The State governments, the greedcorporations...and when will the Feds do something about it. In California, homemakers are facing 30-40% price increases in the food stores. C'mon.
Finally tonight some light on climate change which will affect food prices more and more. We are too far from farmers. Support Jon Tester, the only farmer in the Senate.
Here're more specifics for you, Michael, on how "they work against the people's interests."
In this case, it's how the billionaire classes have financialized all U.S. higher ed.
We know, following what ALEC did (1974 on), following the Powell memo (1971 on) that all those far-right foundations first attacked American education before moving on to off-shore all those tens of millions of working-class jobs and to commodify all U.S. life.
Easiest first moves were (ALEC) to coordinate all U.S. state legislatures in reducing state funding for higher ed. Students had to go to the banks to pay for the inevitably, more-than-exponentially rising tuition. But the tuition then began rising in multiples.
Why? Colleges and universities set themselves into the new games of branding themselves and literally capitalizing on all that branding. Nothing to do with education -- in fact teaching quality suffered by the killing of tenure. Suffered even more by the ways all set themselves in neutered ("professional"-feigning) silos, most all deliberately isolated from each other.
This video does not go into what the Powell memo's wider, deadlier stratagems were. Does not touch on the parallel predations of standardized testing dehumanizing K-12. But for its look at how U.S. higher ed financialized itself for the nihilist rich, priceless:
And a lot of university teaching is done by inexperienced PhD candidates. A prominent scientist in my acquaintance complains that his colleagues speak of teaching as "loads" and research as "opportunities".
More than should be, that much is for certain. My wife was a GTF (Graduate Teaching Fellow) her first year in her Ph.D program. She taught a summer class that had never been taught before, and she had to create the entire class. (She subsequently found other ways to "participate"). I've known at least a dozen GTF's in the music program at the same university over the last 15 years, most of them as on-field directors of the marching band, or as providing lessons to undergrads. At least both of those prepare musicians who go into education in some way, shape, or form.
I agree with the Finns, Emily, who got rid of standardized testing.
If you understand the mentality of our billionaires, you'll see the true nature of how their testing denatures, dehumanizes, turns life to numbers, units, packages -- turns life into the nihilism by which our billionaires have corrupted most institutions.
Phil, I'm not sure Emily meant "standardized testing." I agree with what you say about them. But tests designed by the teachers are good ways to see if what is being taught is being understood. It also helps the teacher figure out better ways to test students' knowledge. I speak from experience as a teacher (though admittedly on the university level). I preferred using essay questions, but was told by my superior that I had to develop a multiple choice test. Doing so was educational for me, as I saw how easily words and phrases can be misinterpreted. It took 5 years to basically "test the test" to come up with the fairest version, because I took the time to see how my students were answering. If many kept getting the same question wrong by answering in a similar way, I knew it was my problem, not theirs, and I had to take that into consideration and figure out a better way to ask that question. Every teacher has to wrestle with how to figure out whether students are learning or not. So, no, testing is not necessarily a "bad thing." I still prefer reading answers to essay questions, however. It takes more time but truly gives a better concept of how much the student has learned and how well the student can communicate and think through concepts. I realize this may be impractical for lower grades in public school, though in my high school education in NJ, many of our tests had essay questions.
When the Finns kicked out the standardized testers, and put emphasis on hiring only the best teachers, the teachers then solved these problems among them.
How else can students express themselves than with essay questions? What else encourages them to think if not writing essays? What else is education if not the liberal arts?
Thank you, Phil Balla. Lewis Powell was another тАЬI am better thanтАжтАЭ Republican. As a guest at his dinner table, invited by his wife and daughter, I got a taste of that.
I was stationed at South Post, Ft. Myer from November 1969 to November '70 (learning Viet all that year) and on our last day, year-end exams, I took a round-about way to the exam site, stopping off at the Supreme Court. Just to see the building, several of whose justices I'd long admired, been reading.
Turned out they were in session, and the guard motioned for me please to come forward, have a look
Hugo Black. William O, Douglas. Thurgood Marshall. There they were.
A year later and our friend, Lewis P. got his reward for so advancing U.S. commercial vulgarity.
Let's hope Clarence and his fellow taker of bribes, flyer of the flags of insurrection, don't insist on keeping their corrupt tenure, even if Dems have landslide this Nov.
Wow, that was a great video! The guy behind Second Thoughts is pretty darned talented and knowledgeable. I always knew tuition was going to other places besides professor salaries.
So many good, decent Americans. Here on Heather's site. Associated with our many, good, various Dems at all levels. All kinds of guests on late-night, stand-up shows.
Good to know, too, you could access it. Another person here earlier could not.
I just searched for it as you said. The link didn't work. I've subscribed to Second Thought for $5 per month on Patreon. In addition to his videos, you get access to his Discord server. I look forward to conversations with younger folks (I'm 50 and the median age here on Heather's newsletter is well above 50!) about where we need to go from here on out.
Second Thought is a socialist, and I think those USians leaning left should embrace the path forward paved by social democracies such as in Scandinavia.
I live a block away from a very well-regarded college. I see (and hear) daily where a lot of their money goes. They have bought all but four homes (including mine) on both sides of my block (for undisclosed future uses), and they are replacing all their concrete sidewalks with fancy, expensive composite bricks. Yet they frequently ask me to include them in my will (LOL)
Eu Vey. I just opened the Bloomberg News and KH is already ahead of me. So, I should really erase this Post, but I will leave it for 'Post'erity.
Here's my message to VP Harris this morning before I read the Prof. We are in this together: Dear Madam Vice President;
The campaign is missing an important element of our "future". Food Prices must come down. I have spoken with several female Trumpers and they say it is one of their big issues. Especially in California, where there are no anti profiteering regulations (other than in emergencies). Food companies are gouging consumers and piling the ill gotten profits back into share buybacks. This lack of consumer protection Federally and in many States needs to stop, and adds a new message to your campaign.
тАЬFood prices are sticky тАУ they either donтАЩt come down, or theyтАЩll come down just a little bit,тАЭ said Angela Huffman, president of the consumer advocacy non-profit Farm Action. тАЬCompanies are setting a new normal.тАЭ
The companiesтАЩ net profits are up by a median of 51% since just prior to the pandemic, and in one case as much as 950%.
In the last two years specifically, since inflation peaked and started slowing, restaurants have generally recorded the highest profit increases among food companies тАУ a median of 72%.тАЭ
And I have to add, the market concentration in the food manufacturing industry is insane. I just read that Mars, Inc., one of the largest conglomerates, plans to acquire the company behind such brands as Pringles and Eggo... for $36 billion.
I don't know if your data is accurate (I assume it is) but the buying public knew of the consumer rape that was underway long before it was reported. Business executives and their Board members couldn't believe how easy it has been to extract bountiful profits at the hands of the 'unsuspecting' but hungry buying public! Blame the Administration rather than the purchaser of the next Chris Craft speedboat!
I've most noticed inflation at my local grocery store (pretty high end I admit, Kowalskis here in Minneapolis) regarding steak prices. There are many selling for $40 per pound! But we should all be willing to substitute for this, eat less meat, etc. It is only steak at Kowalskis that is completely out of control. But salmon has also gone up.
Isn't Kowalski's a locally owned company, not one of the corporate giants? If so, challenging their profit margin might be a Twin Cities matter. A local challenge might be inspirational in the larger fight to bring grocery prices down.
Bruce, my comment was in no way a reflection on the consumer and the pressures they face to purchase foodstuffs. It was only to reflect on the producers and the sellers and how they are taking advantage of us by inordinate inflation of their products. No one should denigrate them from making an honest profit.
I agree with your text, but do these female Trumpers believe he will deal with these corporations better? If so, they really have their heads in the sand. That's just absurd!!! Vote Blue!!!
JL - I think they may be focusing on making sure women (well, White women) are fulfilling their responsibilities as breeders for the future exploited workers of the world!
And yet many of those people who benefit most from government programs turn to MAGA. There is a terrible lack of education underpinning the Republican Party and one of the first cuts made in Republican controlled states is to public education. They know their constituency well. The oligarchs may support MAGA financially, but they donтАЩt have enough votes among themselves to elect Trump. They do know how to reach the sorry lot who would vote against their own self interests.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted that the change тАЬunderscores the fact that the number of children living in poverty is a policy choice.тАЭ They are working against the children's interest as well.
What we're dealing with in terms of everyday Republicans are people who are being spoon-fed lies. It is impossible to have any kind of rational discussion with them. It's the same old song begun my Reagan and expanded by Trump: it's the immigrants, coming in, soaking up benefits, voting illegally, and the like. There is no proof for their claims. The greedy are not the billionaires but rather the welfare queens and the immigrants.
Remarkable. A federal government that works for the people against the greed of corporations. And I have no doubt that Harris and Walz will build on this effort.
Republicans? They show every day that they work against the people's interests and, in fact, will cripple the government to suit their political interests.
Contrast the work that Walz championed to make sure that children are fed so that they can learn with Republican'ts failure to continue the child tax credit. How can returning millions of children to poverty be a slogan for their idea of government's responsibility to its people?
Remember the Republicans won't pass gun legislation banning weapons like the AR-15. Currently, gun violence is the leading cause of children's deaths. These Republicans are heinous people who don't want to feed hungry children, don't want to fund public education, and are perfectly fine with small children being gunned down in their classrooms and other places. What kind of wicked people are these??!!
Jenn, Very pious and religious ones. Just ask them and their millions of evangelical followers. I am an evangelical Christian, and my People have been brainwashed over the last fifty years that abortion is evil in all circumstances, the RтАЩs are on their side in that, and thus nothing else matters. Everything you said is 100% true, and I agree with you 100%; however, there are literally
Millions of one issue voters. There really areтАжтАжтАж.It drives me insane, and is so shallow and stupid, and WRONG, and yes wicked.
The coalition of the fat cats of the world, fatter then ever before in our history, plus now that such fat cats control media not just industry, the repulsive wing of racists and creeps, PLUS the тАЬChristiansтАЭ is such a powerful group that a vile, perverted, evil and corrupt person like Trump can actually be elected. Our country is a mess right now. Plus, social media is a cancer. There is no shared reality anymore. Walter Cronkite and the local daily paper are not coming back. I am still fearful about the future even if we get rid of the poison that is Trump.
I agree with Gandhi, who said, "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians; they are nothing like your Christ."
Thomas Frank addressed and identified this issue in his 2004 book, "What's the Matter with Kansas?"
Yes, and some of those same kids are the product of rape or incest and yet, once they are born, they're mommy's problem to figure out.
Thank you for putting this truth as baldly as it deserves. I continue to wonder what RepublicansтАЩ morals are. Every time I see an ad on TV asking for contributions to feed starving AMERICAN CHILDREN, I wonder. Having never voted for a Republican since Eisenhower, I watch them with increasing disgust. History gives some clues about their meanness, but not enough.
Morals? they don't have morals, they have hate. ["The Anger Games: who Voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 Election, and Why?" Feb. 2018. Google it.
That has been one of my hot buttons for years. A well nourished child learns better than a hungry child. Study after study have shown this to be true.
When my daughter was in school, I was upset because the school would prevent kids that hadn't paid for lunch from eating and/or they would shame a child for getting Federally subsidized lunch. When we switched school districts everyone went through the line and got what they wanted. Plus breakfast was free as well. No shaming.
A well educated populace starts with well fed kids.
Gary, my late husband was a middle-school shop teacher. About five years before we passed the bill providing free breakfast and lunch to all Minnesota students, Glen came home on a Friday afternoon and just headed into his workroom in our basement. Usually, he was happy on Fridays - the weekend and all - but when I went down to ask about dinner I could see he was upset.
Turns out that on his way out of school that afternoon, he encountered one of his students carrying two backpacks - one on front, one on her back. She was smiling and skipping down the hall. Glen asked her what was in the packs so she showed him - food. She was happy because she would have something to eat over the weekend (provided by the local food shelf and organized by a few teachers). Glen was in tears he was so upset.
The following Monday, Glen volunteered to help with the Friday back pack hand outs. And learned a while lot about kids and hunger in his rather wealthy suburban school district.
CanтАЩt tell you how thrilled I was when Walz signed that bill providing free breakfast and lunch. And though Glen had died two years before that,
I knew there was dancing in heaven that day.
Your last comments says it in a nutshell. The GOP does not want a well educated populace. The less-informed, the easier for them to take control. That is why they want to dismantle public education.
Betsy: the republicans do not want government to have responsibility for the people. They have been very consistent in that regard. They want to return us to the golden ($$$) pre-Roosevelt age of monopolies, seniors eating cat food, workers who are dependent on keeping their low-paid jobs just to have crappy health insurance, legalized misogyny and racism, single moms who canтАЩt work because they canтАЩt afford childcare (oops, thatтАЩs still true), etc. This is one of their most successful tools in keeping тАЬWe The PeonsтАЭ angry but accepting of their oligarchsтАЩ terms.
"A federal government that works for the people against the greed of corporations."
The Founders were aware of how pernicious unrestrained, government insinuated corporations could be. The British East India Company. It was their tea that got dumped in Boston Harbor.
Republicans? They sell out the common weal, and they sell out posterity, so long as they can maximize their own power.
Great example JL. They were one of the first Common Stock companies and even had their own private armies. That's how some mothers feel as they try to feed their families these days. Who do they blame: the gov'mnt! Who is to blame: The State governments, the greedcorporations...and when will the Feds do something about it. In California, homemakers are facing 30-40% price increases in the food stores. C'mon.
Finally tonight some light on climate change which will affect food prices more and more. We are too far from farmers. Support Jon Tester, the only farmer in the Senate.
I don't know if you saw the article in Bloomberg on how climate change is affecting Ketchup, Virginia. You are absolutely right.
ЁЯШб
Here're more specifics for you, Michael, on how "they work against the people's interests."
In this case, it's how the billionaire classes have financialized all U.S. higher ed.
We know, following what ALEC did (1974 on), following the Powell memo (1971 on) that all those far-right foundations first attacked American education before moving on to off-shore all those tens of millions of working-class jobs and to commodify all U.S. life.
Easiest first moves were (ALEC) to coordinate all U.S. state legislatures in reducing state funding for higher ed. Students had to go to the banks to pay for the inevitably, more-than-exponentially rising tuition. But the tuition then began rising in multiples.
Why? Colleges and universities set themselves into the new games of branding themselves and literally capitalizing on all that branding. Nothing to do with education -- in fact teaching quality suffered by the killing of tenure. Suffered even more by the ways all set themselves in neutered ("professional"-feigning) silos, most all deliberately isolated from each other.
This video does not go into what the Powell memo's wider, deadlier stratagems were. Does not touch on the parallel predations of standardized testing dehumanizing K-12. But for its look at how U.S. higher ed financialized itself for the nihilist rich, priceless:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVzFSJQZccjRgJNDFRTgnDPRQV?projector=1
And a lot of university teaching is done by inexperienced PhD candidates. A prominent scientist in my acquaintance complains that his colleagues speak of teaching as "loads" and research as "opportunities".
Very good, J L.
More than should be, that much is for certain. My wife was a GTF (Graduate Teaching Fellow) her first year in her Ph.D program. She taught a summer class that had never been taught before, and she had to create the entire class. (She subsequently found other ways to "participate"). I've known at least a dozen GTF's in the music program at the same university over the last 15 years, most of them as on-field directors of the marching band, or as providing lessons to undergrads. At least both of those prepare musicians who go into education in some way, shape, or form.
Sad.
Phil Balla,
Teaching has suffered thus the education of our children and grandchildren.
We can and must do better. Our teachers need encouragement and support. Their job is challenging everyday.
Testing is not a bad thing. If done more often, it may help educators find ways to improve by using different methods of learning.
Students should work to find answers, not just push a button.
I agree with the Finns, Emily, who got rid of standardized testing.
If you understand the mentality of our billionaires, you'll see the true nature of how their testing denatures, dehumanizes, turns life to numbers, units, packages -- turns life into the nihilism by which our billionaires have corrupted most institutions.
Phil, I'm not sure Emily meant "standardized testing." I agree with what you say about them. But tests designed by the teachers are good ways to see if what is being taught is being understood. It also helps the teacher figure out better ways to test students' knowledge. I speak from experience as a teacher (though admittedly on the university level). I preferred using essay questions, but was told by my superior that I had to develop a multiple choice test. Doing so was educational for me, as I saw how easily words and phrases can be misinterpreted. It took 5 years to basically "test the test" to come up with the fairest version, because I took the time to see how my students were answering. If many kept getting the same question wrong by answering in a similar way, I knew it was my problem, not theirs, and I had to take that into consideration and figure out a better way to ask that question. Every teacher has to wrestle with how to figure out whether students are learning or not. So, no, testing is not necessarily a "bad thing." I still prefer reading answers to essay questions, however. It takes more time but truly gives a better concept of how much the student has learned and how well the student can communicate and think through concepts. I realize this may be impractical for lower grades in public school, though in my high school education in NJ, many of our tests had essay questions.
You bring up many good problems, Carol.
When the Finns kicked out the standardized testers, and put emphasis on hiring only the best teachers, the teachers then solved these problems among them.
And got the best public schools in the world.
Very informative - thanks, Carol!
How else can students express themselves than with essay questions? What else encourages them to think if not writing essays? What else is education if not the liberal arts?
Thank you, Phil Balla. Lewis Powell was another тАЬI am better thanтАжтАЭ Republican. As a guest at his dinner table, invited by his wife and daughter, I got a taste of that.
Nice note, Virginia, on your personal experience.
I was stationed at South Post, Ft. Myer from November 1969 to November '70 (learning Viet all that year) and on our last day, year-end exams, I took a round-about way to the exam site, stopping off at the Supreme Court. Just to see the building, several of whose justices I'd long admired, been reading.
Turned out they were in session, and the guard motioned for me please to come forward, have a look
Hugo Black. William O, Douglas. Thurgood Marshall. There they were.
A year later and our friend, Lewis P. got his reward for so advancing U.S. commercial vulgarity.
Let's hope Clarence and his fellow taker of bribes, flyer of the flags of insurrection, don't insist on keeping their corrupt tenure, even if Dems have landslide this Nov.
IтАЩm happy for you that you got to see that trio. Wow!
*The conversation would not load Phil.
Please, D4N, try entering into your search engine:
How US Colleges Became Corporations: From Second Thoughts
Those words get me to the video, as does the link I originally appended (my trying again to access it by that link again works correctly):
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQVzFSJQZccjRgJNDFRTgnDPRQV?projector=1
Wow, that was a great video! The guy behind Second Thoughts is pretty darned talented and knowledgeable. I always knew tuition was going to other places besides professor salaries.
Yes, Matt -- super good.
So many good, decent Americans. Here on Heather's site. Associated with our many, good, various Dems at all levels. All kinds of guests on late-night, stand-up shows.
Good to know, too, you could access it. Another person here earlier could not.
I just searched for it as you said. The link didn't work. I've subscribed to Second Thought for $5 per month on Patreon. In addition to his videos, you get access to his Discord server. I look forward to conversations with younger folks (I'm 50 and the median age here on Heather's newsletter is well above 50!) about where we need to go from here on out.
Second Thought is a socialist, and I think those USians leaning left should embrace the path forward paved by social democracies such as in Scandinavia.
I live a block away from a very well-regarded college. I see (and hear) daily where a lot of their money goes. They have bought all but four homes (including mine) on both sides of my block (for undisclosed future uses), and they are replacing all their concrete sidewalks with fancy, expensive composite bricks. Yet they frequently ask me to include them in my will (LOL)
Matt, as a former professor for several universities, I can personally attest to that fact! (I'm still trying to get the link to work for me.)
Eu Vey. I just opened the Bloomberg News and KH is already ahead of me. So, I should really erase this Post, but I will leave it for 'Post'erity.
Here's my message to VP Harris this morning before I read the Prof. We are in this together: Dear Madam Vice President;
The campaign is missing an important element of our "future". Food Prices must come down. I have spoken with several female Trumpers and they say it is one of their big issues. Especially in California, where there are no anti profiteering regulations (other than in emergencies). Food companies are gouging consumers and piling the ill gotten profits back into share buybacks. This lack of consumer protection Federally and in many States needs to stop, and adds a new message to your campaign.
I hope this is considered helpful. Bon Chance!
Bruce N. Klassen
тАЬFood prices are sticky тАУ they either donтАЩt come down, or theyтАЩll come down just a little bit,тАЭ said Angela Huffman, president of the consumer advocacy non-profit Farm Action. тАЬCompanies are setting a new normal.тАЭ
The companiesтАЩ net profits are up by a median of 51% since just prior to the pandemic, and in one case as much as 950%.
In the last two years specifically, since inflation peaked and started slowing, restaurants have generally recorded the highest profit increases among food companies тАУ a median of 72%.тАЭ
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/26/food-price-inflation-corporate-profit
And, as I'm sure Farm Action would tell you, those profits are NOT going to family farmers.
And I have to add, the market concentration in the food manufacturing industry is insane. I just read that Mars, Inc., one of the largest conglomerates, plans to acquire the company behind such brands as Pringles and Eggo... for $36 billion.
ЁЯШ│ЁЯЩДЁЯШй
I don't know if your data is accurate (I assume it is) but the buying public knew of the consumer rape that was underway long before it was reported. Business executives and their Board members couldn't believe how easy it has been to extract bountiful profits at the hands of the 'unsuspecting' but hungry buying public! Blame the Administration rather than the purchaser of the next Chris Craft speedboat!
I've most noticed inflation at my local grocery store (pretty high end I admit, Kowalskis here in Minneapolis) regarding steak prices. There are many selling for $40 per pound! But we should all be willing to substitute for this, eat less meat, etc. It is only steak at Kowalskis that is completely out of control. But salmon has also gone up.
Eat less meat....it will save your budget, the earth, and your health. It truly is the answer.
Now I want to talk about Starbucks Grande latte going from $3.25 to $5.25 in 18 months. Not doing Starbucks anymore. They burn their coffee anyway.
Isn't Kowalski's a locally owned company, not one of the corporate giants? If so, challenging their profit margin might be a Twin Cities matter. A local challenge might be inspirational in the larger fight to bring grocery prices down.
Hey Matt, try buying for the family for a couple weeks, not just steaks. Eggs are the worst.
Get your eggs from the guy down the street. He's got 12 layers in his garage!
Peter,, I apologize, but your comment illustrates that you don't understand the time pressures today's Mothers/Homemakers/Fathers of families
face. Yes there are cheaper alternatives to each commodity, but the logistics are prohibitiv, time wise and costly. Try foraging for a family of five.
Bruce, my comment was in no way a reflection on the consumer and the pressures they face to purchase foodstuffs. It was only to reflect on the producers and the sellers and how they are taking advantage of us by inordinate inflation of their products. No one should denigrate them from making an honest profit.
I agree with your text, but do these female Trumpers believe he will deal with these corporations better? If so, they really have their heads in the sand. That's just absurd!!! Vote Blue!!!
Rex, that's the problem. They are absurd! and there is no getting through. And frankly they are just complaining without knowing who is screwing them.
I donтАЩt think they have political ends. It is all about money. Nothing else.
They are so focused with zygotes that they can;t be bothered with matters of child welfare.
JL - I think they may be focusing on making sure women (well, White women) are fulfilling their responsibilities as breeders for the future exploited workers of the world!
And yet many of those people who benefit most from government programs turn to MAGA. There is a terrible lack of education underpinning the Republican Party and one of the first cuts made in Republican controlled states is to public education. They know their constituency well. The oligarchs may support MAGA financially, but they donтАЩt have enough votes among themselves to elect Trump. They do know how to reach the sorry lot who would vote against their own self interests.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted that the change тАЬunderscores the fact that the number of children living in poverty is a policy choice.тАЭ They are working against the children's interest as well.
What we're dealing with in terms of everyday Republicans are people who are being spoon-fed lies. It is impossible to have any kind of rational discussion with them. It's the same old song begun my Reagan and expanded by Trump: it's the immigrants, coming in, soaking up benefits, voting illegally, and the like. There is no proof for their claims. The greedy are not the billionaires but rather the welfare queens and the immigrants.