We are far from digging ourselves out of the deep hole we're stuck in, but to blame one political party is utter nonsense.
I know times are difficult for many, but if you can chip in toward our effort to unseat a solutionless Representative, I would be honored to work with Democrats and Republicans to get things done. Donate now.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Public officials need to do more than endlessly blame inflation on their opposing party. We must help solve problems and create solutions that lift up our communities.
Politicians often give credit or blame each other when it's politically advantageous. But, these narratives are often dishonest attempts to gain or keep power.
As far as inflation, we must blame the real culprits, and they're not Republicans or Democrats.
Blame COVID for our economic shutdown worldwide and the supply problem.
Blame Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and the increase in food and energy prices
Blame greed.
Blame Big Oil for your gasoline prices, as they are hitting record profits never seen before.
Blame decades of lack of commitment to infrastructure which affected housing availability.
Blame avian flu for egg and chicken prices.
Blame seine flu for pork prices.
Blame drought for increased costs of fruits, vegetables and meat.
Blame giant corporations for sending jobs overseas without free and fair competition to cut costs.
Blame a spending spree and increased demand after two years of 'house arrest' from COVID.
Blame unintentional government overstimulation for trying to prevent an economic disaster by COVID on our economy
Don't blame Democrats or Republicans.
My opponent and many Americans blame the wrong sources of inflation. This is harmful because it blinds us from our right path.
Jack Bergman offers no solutions and misleads the American people about the causes of our economic shortfalls. In order to find solutions - Americans need to understand the facts, even if it hurts. If my opponent doesn't understand the cause of inflation, how can he be part of the solution?
Vote for those willing and able to identify the uncomfortable facts to enable meaningful solutions to America's pressing problems regardless of their political party.
Inflation is a serious problem requiring serious problem solvers
Inflation is a significant problem. Its absence for nearly 40 years made it even worse.
I know times are difficult for many, but if you can chip in toward our effort to unseat a solutionless Representative, I would be honored to work with Democrats and Republicans to get things done. Donate now.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Inflation hits rural communities the hardest. To mitigate its effects, we must address the underlying causes. Pointing fingers and playing a blame game doesn't solve the problem, and does nothing for our low or fixed income residents suffering from the high cost of goods and services.
What is causing inflation?
Inflation has multiple causes, many linked to the pandemic.
Consumers have been flush with cash.
Savings from government stimulus programs and two years of low spending affects nearly everything.
This is basic supply and demand.
Persistent supply-chain disruptions and transportation issues create costly delays and rising costs for goods.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine significantly affects food and energy prices
China's ongoing economic shutdown is a significant contributor.
Fewer workers in the labor force and changing values of workers result in higher labor costs.
Inexpensive borrowing.
Greed
The result is inflation. A simplified analysis of the total percentage of inflation:
2% baseline is a natural, normal the sign of economic growth
2% COVID related disruption
1-2% monetary overstimulation addressing COVID pandemic
1-2% Russia invasion of Ukraine
1-2% other issues (Avian flu, African swine fever, food disruptions, extreme weather events)
What to do?
My opponent wants to blame someone and disregards the facts, and he offers no meaningful solution. Unacceptable.
Combating inflation requires leadership and compromise from both sides. The American people deserve better than for us to make this a partisan problem.
We must define the problem, obtain the facts, look for solutions, and act. Work together, tell the truth, and be honest. Breaking down and addressing these underlying issues can help mitigate the problem. It will not be easy, but pointing fingers and playing a blame game doesn't fix the problem. It often worsens these issues as it diverts energy and resources from where they should be.
Serious problems require serious solutions, and we need a leader at the helm who is more focused on solving problems than toeing the party line or exacerbating the divide.
✔️Fact Check: Bob vs. Jack on inflation
“Either Jack Bergman doesn’t understand the basic economics of inflation, or he’s intentionally misleading the public for political gain. Both are beneath the dignity of his office.” — Dr. Bob Lorinser
Times are tough for many in the district. If you can afford it, will you contribute today to Dr. Bob Lorinser’s run for Congress so he can advance real economic solutions for hard-working Americans?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Serious problems require serious solutions, and we need a leader at the helm who is more focused on solving problems than toeing the party line or exacerbating the divide. This week Rep. Jack Bergman took to social media to mislead the public about the causes of worldwide inflation.
Bergman’s Post:
“Record grocery and gas prices,” he said. “Highest illegal border crossings in history. Skyrocketing inflation. The Democrat-led Congress and President are derelict in their duty to the American people.”
Dr. Bob’s Post:
This is a very serious problem. Rising costs of goods and services are especially difficult for rural America and hard-working, middle-class families. However, if we hope to combat inflation, we need to understand it. So, let’s look at the facts.
The U.S. has experienced eight inflation spikes since 1940 greater than 6%, five of which were related to oil.
1940
20% Post-WWII removal of price controls, supply, constraints, and penned-up demand
1950
10% Korean Conflict
1970
7% Late social expansion effect from Medicaid and Medicare;
12-15% Oil shocks
1990
6% Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
2008
6% Gas prices spike
2022
10% Current
America addressed the problems and recovered each time. We will again. We all know it’s painful, but we will make it through it. My opponent frequently states it’s “Biden’s inflation.” The current issue is a worldwide economic phenomenon. It is our inflation. Energy, food, and housing are the major concerns for all of us.
USA - 9 - 10%, Compared Worldwide
What is causing inflation?
Inflation has multiple causes; many are linked to the pandemic.
Consumers have been flush with cash. Savings from government stimulus programs — programs passed and championed by both Republicans and Democrats for the past several years.
When the economy opened back up, it inevitably got overstimulated. Labor shortages and changing priorities of the workforce resulted in higher wages and labor costs.
Persistent supply-chain disruptions and transportation issues created costly delays and a rise in the cost of goods. This is basic supply and demand.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine significantly affects food and energy prices.
China's ongoing economic shutdown is a significant contributor.
Inexpensive borrowing and greed also play factors. Price gouging is real, and corporations are making record profits at the expense of the consumer.
The unfortunate cumulative result is higher inflation. My simple summary of the current USA situation:
2% - Baseline natural, expected economic growth
2% - COVID-related disruption
1-2% - Monetary overstimulation related to the pandemic from the current and previous administration's efforts to address COVID-19
1-2% - Russia's invasion of Ukraine
1-2% - Other issues
(Avian Flu, African Swine Fever, food disruptions, extreme weather events)
What can be done?
My opponent wants to blame someone and disregards the facts, offering no meaningful solutions. Unacceptable.
Combating inflation and advocating for economic growth requires leadership and compromise from both sides. The American people deserve better than for us to make this a partisan problem.
We must define the problem, obtain the facts, look for solutions, and act. Work together and be honest. Nothing will be quick and easy, and we must manage our expectations. Pointing fingers and playing a blame game diverts energy and resources away from real solutions.
Experts have developed various effective measures to combat the problem, and it's time to look at different approaches to problem-solving and truth-telling. To start, addressing the root causes of inflation will mitigate its effects.
Either Jack Bergman doesn't understand the basic economics of the situation, or he's intentionally misleading the public for political gain. Both are beneath the dignity of his office.