It isn\u2019t rocket science to acknowledge we\u2019re experiencing a shortage of many things these days\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Labor\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For months we\u2019ve heard employers bemoan they simply can\u2019t find enough people to work. Labor experts tell us workers haven\u2019t returned after the onset of the pandemic; some lost their jobs; some retired early; some quit because \u2014 according to a recent Indeed<\/em> survey \u2014 \u201clife is too short to stay in a job\u201d they aren\u2019t passionate about. I spoke this week, in fact, with a friend attempting to hire an administrative medical professional at their small business. After a thorough screening process, four interviews were scheduled; zero applicants showed up. America\u2019s labor is in increasingly short supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Groceries and household goods\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve tried to get an accurate read in regard to what\u2019s actually scarce. Reviewing the analysis of multiple market experts, it seems grocers are challenged to fully stock the following: bacon, beef, bottled water, bread, canned pumpkin, canned vegetables, carbonated drinks, chicken, cooking oil, evaporated milk, frozen meals, juice boxes, ketchup packets, liquor, Lunchables,<\/em> oat milk, paper towels, pasta, pasta sauce, pet food, tofu, toilet paper, tomato paste, and turkey. The list continues to soar. Says Jim Dudlicek, a representative for the National Grocers Association, there simply aren\u2019t enough people to \u201cmake the goods, move the goods and sell the goods.\u201d America\u2019s groceries are in increasingly short supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are more things in which we are experiencing a shortage\u2026 rubber, lumber, even blood. Housing is a challenge. Diapers. New cars. Noting Christmas is coming, gaming consoles are also in short supply. (Sorry, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo fans. Being naughty or nice isn\u2019t going to matter this year.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In all these things, not only is less available but we are paying significantly more\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Groceries are higher than they were just a year ago\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steaks are up 24.9%. Eggs are 11.6% more expensive. Chicken, 8.8%. Cereal, 5%. Baby food, 7.9%. Other prices \u2014 rent, cars, gas, energy \u2014 they\u2019re up at least 6.2% in one year\u2019s time. [Note: all percentages reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.] As said, it isn\u2019t rocket science to see we have a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what are we to do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n To be clear, we\u2019re experiencing the highest annual rate of inflation we\u2019ve seen in 30 years. Again, it\u2019s not rocket science, but something\u2019s wrong. Inflation is a general increase in prices accompanied by a decrease in the purchasing power or value of money. That\u2019s part of the concern with the government attempting to infuse more money into the economy right now. More money won\u2019t change the amount of goods available; but if the money supply increases faster than output \u2014 which is why the labor shortage is significant \u2014 inflation may become even worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So back to what we\u2019re to do\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ll be honest. I\u2019m no economist. The Intramuralist has taken graduate level Econ classes; however, such does not qualify me as anything close to an expert. I have so much to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next I would like our leaders and politicians to also acknowledge they are not experts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s amazing what happens when we admit our lack of expertise. We become a little more humble\u2026 a little less emboldened in our speech\u2026 a little less convinced we have the only right way\u2026 and a little more considerate of other people. We also start to listen to the persons who actually are experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I would thus like us to put all partisanship aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If we are going to solve the burgeoning inflationary and supply chain problems, we need to stop jockeying for political party wins. We need to stop promoting one-sided, long-craved-for agendas, acting as if all of a sudden, partisan legislation is a creative solution to the inflationary problem; each party justifies spending way too partisan much. We need to pause. Adjust. And deal with the current, increasing, intensifying problem. If we are going to deal with what the American people most need now \u2014 addressing the very real shortages we are experiencing \u2014 partisan agendas must cease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That, my friends, isn\u2019t rocket science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It isn\u2019t rocket science to acknowledge we\u2019re experiencing a shortage of many things these days\u2026 Labor\u2026 For months we\u2019ve heard employers bemoan they simply can\u2019t find enough people to work. Labor experts tell us workers haven\u2019t returned after the onset of the pandemic; some lost their jobs; some retired early; some quit because \u2014 according … <\/p>\n