Staff Reports
In a spectacle that would fit right into a Saturday Night Live skit, President Joe Biden donned his turkey-pardoning apron yet again. This time he was photographed with two actual turkeys—much to the relief of viewers who prefer their White House appearances without the company of politicians like Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. The irony here is delicious: while these turkeys get a reprieve to live out their days in peace, Americans keep getting served a heaping helping of economic woes thanks to the current administration.
In the lead-up to Thanksgiving, CNBC tried to deliver a silver lining to the beleaguered American public, claiming that holiday dinner costs would be at “historically low levels.” However, any grocery shopper with eyes can tell a different story as they navigate the aisles. Yes, some items are more affordable—like sweet potatoes and whole milk, which have dropped significantly in price—but that’s about as encouraging as a half-filled gas tank. The reality is that Thanksgiving dinners are still feeling the sting of inflation, and who could forget that while cranberry sauce may be cheaper, rent and other everyday essentials are continuing to rise?
Coincidentally, CNBC seems to have mastered the art of selective data presentation. They attempted to soothe consumers by announcing price drops on select items, carefully omitting the rising costs of nearly everything else. It’s as if they rewrote reality to match an optimistic narrative crafted from cherry-picked statistics. The report manages a neat feat of ignoring the substantial inflation that looms over the average American’s budget, raising the question: how is anyone supposed to feel good about saving fifty cents on canned gravy when gas prices have shot up and the mortgage is through the roof?
CNBC: The Beating Will Stop When Morale Improves – Thanksgiving Turkey Will Be Historically Cheaphttps://t.co/OO8773TmDY
— RedState (@RedState) November 25, 2024
Readers are left with the sense that geography plays a critical role in determining Thanksgiving expenses, as households in the South may find themselves paying less than those in the West. Yet, that hardly assuages the frustrations of families nationwide who are grappling with the burdens of a struggling economy. The idea that one region can enjoy a little Thanksgiving cheer does not obscure the broader picture of escalating costs that plague households across the country.
In summary, as Americans gear up for Thanksgiving, they find themselves nestled between a president who’s more focused on pardoning turkeys than addressing skyrocketing prices and news outlets that attempt to spin good news from statistical knots. So, while the inflation numbers continue climbing and everyday essentials remain expensive, the administration pats itself on the back for giving a false sense of prosperity. The real question remains: just how far removed are they from the realities faced by the very citizens they serve? President Biden’s Thanksgiving turkey may seem cheaper, but that doesn’t reflect the true feast facing hardworking families struggling to make ends meet this holiday season.
