Problem:
"Analysts at Goldman Sachs also said on Friday they're now projecting higher inflation, largely due to Mr. Trump's tariffs. "
"The cost of food, shelter and other items remains a top economic issue around the U.S., with the soaring cost of eggs becoming a national talking point. A recent CBS News poll found that 77% of Americans say their incomes aren't keeping up with the pace of inflation."
One factor that we think limits services disinflation is reduced immigration, which could lead to labor shortages in many face-to-face service sectors (retail, restaurants, leisure, hospitals) that could result in supply-side driven inflation," the Morgan Stanley analysts said in their report."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/inflation-trump-tariffs-economists-forecast-2025/
"Inflation is, at base, a tax on consumption – and it hits the poor the hardest, since they consume more of their incomes and the rich consume less. That’s one reason for concern over Donald Trump’s tariffs, which will disproportionately affect the poor. When the 90-day pause on the tariffs expires, it is reasonable to expect prices to rise, and by a lot. That’s because, first, intermediate goods – rather than finished ones – dominate trade, crossing borders and being tariffed multiple times along the way, which makes them highly inflationary. Second, while the tariffs of the first Trump administration could be more easily absorbed by exchange rates and producers, there is no way tariffs of this magnitude can be absorbed. Producers and consumers must take a hit, and that means rising prices. It looks like the poor, once again, will suffer the most."
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/22/tariffs-inflation-climate-crisis
As inflation rises our community struggles with making ends meet. How can we help them? We need your ideas today!
Solutions:
We have put on vegetable container gardening classes so our neighbors can save money by growing some basic crops to supplement their budget or share/swap with neighbors. Call/text Mary Meade (850-890-6511) if you are interested in taking the class that will be comprised of people who want to team up to host other classes in their neighborhoods.
We have given out donated 25 gallon recycled cattle feed containers to class attendees to get them started. We recently spoke with the county and a big issue for them is the number of tires in the landfill. We could help them, and our neighbors, by providing garden "pots" on a donation basis. Maybe local artists and high school students would like to paint them? Anyone have oil based paint they want to donate?