Despite Congress allocating $7.5 billion in 2021 to build tens of thousands of electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the United States, not a single charger has been constructed using these funds. This allocation was part of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure package, which aimed to transform the nation’s roads and address climate change by promoting electric vehicles.

According to Politico, consumer demand for electric vehicles is increasing in the U.S., necessitating a significant expansion in the number of chargers. However, the expected rollout of chargers funded by the infrastructure law has been delayed, with none expected to be operational until at least 2024. This delay hinders Biden’s goal of making half of all new vehicles that are sold in the U.S. be electric by 2030.

Currently, the U.S. has about 180,000 EV chargers, but the infrastructure package aimed to increase this number to half a million by 2030. However, officials from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory suggest that even half a million chargers will not be sufficient, estimating that 1.2 million chargers will be needed by the end of the decade to meet the growing demand.

Breitbart News highlights that U.S. car dealers are urging Biden to reconsider his EV mandates and carbon emission regulations, pointing to a lack of consumer demand for electric vehicles. The Consumer Reports survey also indicates that EVs face significantly more problems compared to traditional gas-powered cars, including issues with charging infrastructure, lithium-ion batteries, build quality, and engine failures.

This situation underscores the challenges in transitioning to electric vehicles, particularly in terms of infrastructure readiness and meeting consumer expectations and needs.

The iconic film “Home Alone,” released in 1990, has become a touchstone for measuring the impact of inflation over the past three decades. In a memorable scene, the main character Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, spends $19.83 on groceries. Recent experiments replicating Kevin’s grocery shopping list have revealed a significant increase in prices, highlighting the effects of current economic inflation.

Last year, TikTok user Rochelle Chalmers found that buying the same items at Kroger cost her $44.40. More recently, Nick Smith of NewsNation conducted a similar experiment in Chicago at Happy Foods, where the total came to $72.28 after tax. This price hike represents a 248% increase since the movie’s release.

Economists predict that food prices could rise further as the holiday season approaches. According to the Consumer Price Index, all food prices rose by 0.7% from August to September 2023, with a 11.2% increase compared to September 2021. The United States Department of Agriculture also forecasts a 3-4% increase in food prices for the year.

This surge in prices, often referred to as “Bidenflation,” has significantly impacted family budgets. The average U.S. household now needs an additional $11,434 annually to maintain the same standard of living as before this period of high inflation. The persistent inflation challenges the notion that the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes are effectively curbing it, as evidenced by a 0.4% rise in the cost of goods and services for two consecutive months in September.

The rising costs of home and auto insurance are significantly impacting American households. The trends observed in 2022, where insurance rates saw substantial increases, have continued into 2023. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence analysis, both types of insurance have experienced about an 11% increase in costs by the end of July 2023, marking one of the most significant spikes in over five years.

The average cost of home insurance, as reported by Forbes Advisor, is around $1,582 annually for $350,000 worth of coverage, while the average cost for fully covering a vehicle is now approximately $2,150 per year. Cumulatively, this means that the average American homeowner and car owner are spending more than $3,700 annually on insurance alone.

Several factors contribute to these rising insurance costs. Extreme weather conditions, increased frequency of car accidents, and the effects of inflation are major contributors. Particularly notable is the situation in Texas, where there has been a 37.6 percent increase in premium rates over the last 20 months. Reports from the Texas Tribune highlight the influence of climate change concerns and inflation on rebuilding costs after natural disasters, leading to higher insurance rates in the state.

These insurance rate hikes come against the backdrop of a broader inflationary trend affecting the U.S. economy. Since the beginning of President Joe Biden’s administration in January 2021, inflation has markedly increased, affecting various sectors and the overall cost of living. Despite a 13.6 percent increase in average hourly wages since January 2021, the rise in inflation, pegged at 17 percent over the same period, offsets these wage gains, as highlighted in the CBS MoneyWatch report. This situation has led to an additional annual expenditure of approximately $11,400 for the average U.S. household to maintain their pre-inflation standard of living.

The Biden administration recently declared a substantial financial commitment to international climate efforts, allocating $3 billion of U.S. taxpayer funds to the United Nations’ Green Climate Fund (GCF). This announcement was made by Vice President Kamala Harris at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, emphasizing the U.S.’s resolve to combat climate change on a global scale.

During the conference, Harris urged for more significant action against climate change and criticized those who impede progress, including leaders denying climate science and corporations evading ecological responsibilities. Her speech underlined the urgency and the challenges in advancing climate initiatives.

This contribution to the GCF aligns with the Biden administration’s broader strategy to enhance international cooperation in addressing climate change. Notably, the U.S. also plans to participate in a related conference focusing on methane pollution, collaborating with representatives from China and the United Arab Emirates.

Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry lauded this funding decision. He highlighted the GCF’s proven effectiveness in aiding countries with their energy transitions, supporting communities to adapt to climate crises, and attracting significant private capital for climate-related actions. Kerry’s remarks reflected a strong endorsement of the GCF’s impact and the U.S.’s role in bolstering these global efforts.

The Green Climate Fund, established as a part of the 2009 U.N. Copenhagen agreement, plays a critical role in channeling resources towards developing countries. It aims to facilitate their endeavors in reducing emissions and managing climate-related damages. The Fund has been pivotal in mobilizing $100 billion annually for various climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives in less affluent nations.

This significant investment by the U.S. into the GCF not only reaffirms its commitment to tackling climate change but also positions the country as a leader in global environmental stewardship. It reflects an understanding of the interconnected nature of climate challenges and the necessity of collaborative, well-funded international responses.

President Joe Biden’s efforts to promote his handling of the U.S. economy, dubbed “Bidenomics,” have not resonated well with the American public, as evidenced by recent Gallup poll results. The poll, conducted between November 1 and November 21, showed Biden’s economic approval rating at a mere 32%, a significant decline from an earlier uptick in August where it reached 38%.

This decline in approval comes despite government data indicating a stabilization in inflation rates. October’s consumer price index showed no significant monthly increase and an annual rise of just 3.2%, close to the lowest rate since April 2021. However, this apparent improvement in inflation has not positively impacted the public’s perception of Biden’s economic management.

The poll reveals demographic variations in Biden’s economic approval ratings. Women showed a slightly higher approval (33%) compared to men (31%). Younger voters (18-34 years old) expressed notably lower approval (28%) than older Americans (38% among those over 55 years old).

Biden’s economic policies receive high approval from Democrats (72%), but this support significantly drops among independents (24%) and is minimal among Republicans (3%). This disparity indicates a deep partisan divide in perceptions of Biden’s economic management.

The poll also highlights a wealth gap in Biden’s economic approval ratings. Those earning over $100,000 per year gave a 38% approval, whereas the approval rate was lower among those earning $50,000 to $100,000 (30%) and even lower among those with incomes below $50,000 (26%). This trend contradicts Biden’s narrative of fostering economic growth “from the bottom up,” suggesting that lower-income groups are less convinced about the effectiveness of his economic policies.

Overall, the Gallup poll reflects a challenging scenario for the Biden administration, as its efforts to showcase economic achievements under Bidenomics have yet to gain broad acceptance among the American populace, particularly among key demographic groups and across the partisan divide.

The financial burden on American households due to inflation has been starkly highlighted in recent reports, showing that an average U.S. family now requires an additional $11,434 annually to maintain the standard of living they enjoyed before inflation soared to 40-year highs under President Joe Biden’s administration.

A CBS News Moneywatch analysis, utilizing government data, compared the costs of living from January 2021 to the present, underscoring the struggle families face in keeping up with inflation. Although average hourly wages have risen by 13.6% since early 2021, this increase has been outpaced by a 17% hike in inflation during the same period.

The major pressure points for increased spending are basic necessities such as food, housing, transportation, and energy. These essentials make up about 80% of the surge in expenditure, as per a report from Republican members of the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee.

The report chose January 2021 as a baseline because it was the last month before inflation began its upward trend, coinciding with President Biden taking office. Particularly hard-hit are households in the Mountain West region, including states like Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, experiencing some of the highest inflation rates. For example, Colorado families are projected to face an additional cost of $12,065 in 2023, surpassing the national average.

Washington, D.C., households are not spared, with anticipated extra annual costs of $13,460 from November 2022 to November 2023, significantly higher than the national average.

These figures paint a troubling picture of the economic challenges faced by American families. The gap between wage growth and inflation has led to a decreased standard of living, with the most significant impact on essential living expenses. The data starkly illustrates the real-world impact of inflation on everyday Americans, posing a serious challenge to the current administration’s economic policies and strategies.

The holiday season is becoming more expensive as the price of Christmas trees, both real and artificial, sees a significant increase due to inflation. A report from Fox Business, based on data from the National Christmas Tree Association and the American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA), highlights that the average cost of Christmas trees has risen by ten percent from last year, now ranging between $80 and $100.

Artificial trees, in particular, have experienced a notable price hike. According to Jami Warner, the executive director of ACTA, the prices for these trees start at around $85 and can escalate to $1,000 or more, with over half of artificial Christmas tree owners having purchased their tree for under $200. Factors such as the tree’s producer, retailer, size, shape, and features like pre-lit options significantly influence the cost.

The primary reason behind this surge is the rising production costs, which are a residual effect of ongoing supply chain issues impacting various industries across the United States. Despite these increased prices and widespread concerns about inflation, the demand for Christmas trees remains robust. The ACTA survey reveals that 94 percent of participants still plan to buy a tree this season, with a majority preferring artificial trees.

To navigate this inflationary trend, Warner advises consumers to shop for their Christmas trees early, noting that many are already purchasing their holiday décor well before the traditional shopping seasons of November and December to avoid the holiday rush and secure the best choices that fit their needs.

This spike in the cost of Christmas trees adds to the overall financial strain consumers are facing due to high inflation rates. An analysis from the Heritage Foundation in October pointed out that inflation is at a 40-year high, with prices rising substantially since President Biden took office. The report emphasized that inflation was well below the Federal Reserve’s two percent target when Biden started his term, but it has since escalated dramatically, reaching an annual rate of 9.1 percent.