The increasing cost of living was noted by everyone. Things just seemed to be more expensive. Naturally both parties took note and made it an issue to campaign on. The Republican Party platform noted that “The steadily increasing cost of living has become a matter not only of national but of world-wide concern.” Not to be outdone the Democratic Party platform noted “The high cost of living is a serious problem in every American home.” Effectively addressing the rising cost of living should be a winning campaign strategy. It was certainly important enough that both major parties included it in their platforms.

Flash forward 8 years and both parties were still making cost of living a platform issue. The Republican platform stated: “we pledge ourselves to earnest and consistent attack upon the high cost of living.” The Democratic platform vilified the Republican Party as it “raged against profiteers and the high cost of living without enacting a single statute to make the former afraid or doing a single act to bring the latter within limitations.” The Democratic platform continued to promise: “We pledge the Democratic Party to a policy of strict economy in government expenditures.” These statements were made in the party platforms of 1912 and 1920.

Over 100 years ago both parties included in their policy to combat the increasing cost of living. The parties didn’t stop talking about the cost of living in their platforms after 1920. The 1964 Republican platform addresses inflation. The 1972 Democratic platform notes “There must be an end to inflation and the ever-increasing cost of living.” It is probable that selecting any year or either party and you will find a plank of the platform is addressing the increased cost of living or inflation.

After 112 years with a focus on the cost of living the politicians in Washington DC must have developed a wonderful strategy to keep the cost of living low. Inflation from 1913 to 2023 is only at 3001.5% This means an item that would have cost $25 in 1913 would cost $775.38 in 2023. Either the politicians in Washington DC are inept at their jobs, increasing the cost of living is a feature of their agenda, or their policy decisions never had any ability to change the cost of living and they were deceiving the voting public by proclaiming they could combat the increasing cost of living.

Now the 2024 election season is starting to heat up. Politicians on both sides of the aisle will claim to have policies that will combat the rising cost of living. Campaign slogans will proclaim solutions and politicians will speak in earnest about understanding how difficult it is to live paycheck to paycheck. Vote for me and I will solve your problems. I am the solution you are hoping for. Relinquish a little more of your personal sovereignty to the federal government and this time we will have the solution.

Washington DC provides a false hope for a better life. Cede your liberty for a more comfortable life and you will see an increase in tyranny and a far less comfortable life. Washington DC has not been able to slow the rising cost of living in the last 112 years. Maybe this year the platitudes preached by politicians will bear fruit. The 112 year track record suggests otherwise. Don’t fall victim to the false hope of Washington DC. Remember you “are the master of your fate.”