Democrats scored notable wins in last month’s off-year elections, driven in part by voter frustration over persistent price increases.
Demolition continued Thursday where the East Wing of the White House once stood, following President Donald Trump’s order to tear down the 123-year-old structure and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. The president plans to replace them with a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, estimated to cost $300 million and funded through private donations. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP)
At a Christmas market just outside Washington, D.C., holiday spirit isn’t enough to overshadow growing concerns about affordability, as many American households grapple with rising costs this season.
“Prices are terrible. It makes it difficult to shop for your friends and family,” said James Doffermyre, a high school teacher browsing the Gaithersburg, Maryland market.
Doffermyre, 37, said his family usually celebrates Christmas in a big way, buying one or two gifts for everyone. But this year, they’ve agreed to limit presents to the children because of financial strain.
His experience reflects widespread pressure on household budgets and increasing dissatisfaction over the cost of living.
A Mounting Issue
Democrats' recent election gains were boosted by voters unhappy with high prices. Even Republican President Donald Trump has recently acknowledged an affordability “problem,” despite previously calling such concerns a political “hoax.”
While Trump’s broad tariffs this year haven't triggered a major spike in overall consumer inflation, businesses report higher operational costs—some of which have been passed on to consumers.
Inflation has crept upward, with the consumer price index rising 3.0 percent annually in September, up slightly from 2.9 percent in August.
Doffermyre, who has a six-month-old baby, said he’s cut back on dining out. Meanwhile, 73-year-old special education teacher Karen Jenkins described grocery prices as “outrageous,” noting that many of her students rely on donated food because they lack meals at home. She, too, is buying less and reducing outings.
A Different Kind of Strain
University of Michigan economist Joanne Hsu recalled that consumers were also frustrated by high prices in 2022, near the end of the pandemic. But strong job markets then gave people more confidence to keep spending.
“This time is a very different situation,” Hsu said.
Pastry chef Olivia McPherson, 30, said prices have been climbing steadily for three years. Unable to afford her own apartment, she rents a room from a friend and has cut back on meat purchases. Although she receives meals at work, she may not be able to buy gifts for all her friends this year.
“I wouldn’t ask them to get me anything either,” she said. “Everyone’s feeling it.”
Others, like 23-year-old machine operator Oscar, work multiple jobs to stay afloat.
“If you work hard enough, you can get by,” he said, though he doesn’t expect prices to fall soon. “You just have to make things work.”
— AFP
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