What's compounding the issue is immense cost increase of transportation. Fuel cost is astronomical.
In 15 months it's gone from $1.62/gallon to $3.19.
So there is an artificially created short supply of materials, which has increased cost of goods. There is an artificially created labor shortage, which has increased cost of goods. And we've artificially double the price of fuel/transportation, which is raising cost of goods.
And none of that takes into account the reckless spending and resulting printing press in Washington.
I dont want to debate tariffs, but all those people who were staunchly against trumps' tariffs have to be wondering why, at this point. The effects pale in comparison to what's happening now, and we've opened the doors back up to our #1 competition.
I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but I cannot explain what Im seeing economically. The harm has to be on purpose. There is no other explanation at this point. And half the country seems to be blissfully unaware as they scroll through tiktok