Jeff Stahler for February 15, 2022

Our local Safeway just fielded a bunch of super-big baskets, about 30% bigger than the (already too big for our taste) prior “family size” baskets. They do also have some that are just right for a kidless couple… but sometimes they’re all in use. I sure don’t have the manager’s spreadsheets, but I’d have preferred 2 dozen more of the small ones instead of the same number of "too large unless you’re cooking for multiple teenage boys.

A basket will be all she needs, since everything she buys is now packaged in much smaller portions at higher prices.

Take the basket because of price gouging. When Putin finally invades Ukraine, then will be the next big trigger for inflation, especially in oil and gas. Some folks’ll make a “killing.”

Not a joking matter for many.

Turns out inflation is not the problem, but price gouging is.

3 local supermarkets. 4oz Lobster tails. Market 1. 12.99 ea. Market 2. 8.99 ea. Market 3. 6.99 ea. So I imagine I will go to Market 1 and cry about high prices. I find most prices have not changed much. I got tomatoes for 2.99/lb as I have for years. I get apples for various different prices per variety, but basically 1.99/lb to 2.49/lb. Now oranges are higher due to the fact that FL has a blight. Generic soda is 19 cents higher for 2 litres, I will admit. Lettuce prices are bouncing around but they always have. Meat prices have risen but due to droughts and floods causing grain prices to rise. I can still get chicken for about the same price as I always did.

Let’s see; loaf of bread? $50. Dozen eggs? $60. Quart of milk? $100. Looks like “Trump’s Revenge” is working.

Karen looks happy about it.

Between supply chain issues, inflation, and the pandemic, it proves that the observation of Geraldine Jones (as portrayed by the late great Flip Wilson) was correct. Said Ms. Jones way back in the 60’s, “Honey, the cost of livin’s goin’ up while the chance of livin’s goin’ down!”

The cart runner feels some empathy.

A savvy bank would set up a personal loan department near the store’s checkout… or the gas pump

Snowflakes. Should have been here in the 70s.

Carts are not an issue…the cost of filling them is the real issue.Almost everything in the store I use… Safeway… has just gone up at least 25%…dish soap (for example has doubled in price. What makes matters worse is half the shelves are devoid of products that normally are always available. By this time next year I fully expect prices to have jumped even higher and fewer items will be on the shelf due to world wide crop failures.

That no lie!

Last week I was in Winco and the couple ahead of me had a cart brimming over. Paid the $420+ bill with an Oregon Trail card (food benefits card). I paid my $27 bill with my debt card.

Stahler acknowledging something negative to Democrats is a welcome site. Usually it’s only Rall that will comment on both sides of the aisle.