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A $16 McDonald's meal shows how the economy will be the battleground for the 2024 presidential election
Business Insider ^ | 11/30/2023 | Cork Gaines

Posted on 11/30/2023 11:07:02 AM PST by Signalman

A McDonald's meal from a viral TikTok has become the poster child for a key issue leading up to the 2024 presidential election.

"I get there is a labor shortage," user @topheroliver, who is based in Idaho, said in the video originally posted in December 2022. "I get there's wage increases and a number of other things. But $16? Sixteen dollars for a burger, large fries, and a drink. It's just crazy."

The video gained traction recently after McDonald's released its earnings report revealing that revenues were up 8.1% in the past year. McDonald's attributed part of the revenue increase to "strategic price increases." So while some things, like novelty burgers — such as the limited edition smoky double quarter pounder BLT in the TikTok video — are pricey, and the cost of fries is up 20% in two years, other popular items might not have increased as much. For example, the price of the Big Mac is up roughly $0.70.

But food prices have been rising since 2020, which is one of the reasons why Americans feel sour about the economy, despite data suggesting it's in a strong position. And that attitude is already swaying how Americans will vote in the upcoming presidential election.

When asked, "Thinking about the nation's economy, how would you rate economic conditions today?" 52% of the registered voters responded "poor," and a whopping 81% picked "only fair" or "poor." Only 19% chose "excellent" or "good."

And in the state-by-state breakdowns, it was consistent. In the five states leaning toward Trump, respondents who chose "only fair" or "poor" for their view of the US economy ranged from 79% in Arizona to 84% in Georgia. Even in Wisconsin, the one battleground state leaning towards Biden, 76% did not have a favorable view of the economy.

(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: businessinsider
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1 posted on 11/30/2023 11:07:02 AM PST by Signalman
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To: Signalman

Maybe they’ll change the Big Mac. “Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, a twenty dollar gold piece on a sesame seed bun.”


2 posted on 11/30/2023 11:10:28 AM PST by FlingWingFlyer (It wasn't "genocide" when Hamas did it. Hypocrites!!!)
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To: Signalman

I once threw down a half eaten McWhopper and my German Shepherd walked over, sniffed it and walked away.


3 posted on 11/30/2023 11:10:40 AM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Signalman
$16.00 for McDonalds.

And $11,400 more per annum needed to buy stuff.

Ain't Bidenonics wonderful?

4 posted on 11/30/2023 11:14:21 AM PST by Responsibility2nd (A truth that’s told with bad intent, Beats all the lies you can invent ~ Wm. Blake)
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To: Signalman

Between the increased costs of ingredient, insurance, electricity, etc. and state mandated $15/hour wages - that’s what you get.

So now that McD is unaffordable, people will be pushing for a $20 minimum wage - wash, rinse, repeat.


5 posted on 11/30/2023 11:14:46 AM PST by HonorInPa
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To: Signalman

Selling a $0.25 burger for $16 ...


6 posted on 11/30/2023 11:25:21 AM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: dragnet2
I once threw down a half eaten McWhopper and my German Shepherd walked over, sniffed it and walked away.

That's funny. Now what did the dog do to earn that kinda punishment anyway.

7 posted on 11/30/2023 11:28:07 AM PST by 1Old Pro
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To: Signalman

Just this week I learned...

Shop rate just increased $400 per month
Obamacare raising rates $200 per month
Material supplier increased prices for steel and aluminum near double
Welding gases up double
Hazmat hauler (cutting fluids and other wastes) up double
Electric another 7%
Still paying $5 a gallon for diesel.

Can I move to New York and get put up in a luxury hotel and have all my needs paid for by taxpaying chumps like me?


8 posted on 11/30/2023 11:31:24 AM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eye)
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To: Organic Panic

But voters did not like mean tweets and insults. Biden does not do mean tweets.


9 posted on 11/30/2023 11:39:10 AM PST by entropy12 (Career politicians like Desantis build wealth. Trump sacrificed hit wealth to serve people. GO TRUMP)
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To: Signalman

That’s why its called a value meal.


10 posted on 11/30/2023 11:41:32 AM PST by glorgau
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To: Signalman

A filthy country filled with low-rent people with a broken economy doesn’t just grow on trees you know. Somebody’s got to pay for it.


11 posted on 11/30/2023 11:42:33 AM PST by SpaceBar
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To: Signalman

$16 sounds reasonable...

for four kids.


12 posted on 11/30/2023 11:44:58 AM PST by Zack Attack (✔)
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To: Signalman
The guy ordered a limited time only Double Smokey BLT Quarter Pounder, large fries, and large drink, and the combo meal came to $15.19 before tax. A double quarter pounder is 1/2 pound* of meat (*weight before cooking).

On my McDonald's app, a double bacon quarter pounder large meal is $11.19, so he paid $4 more for the "Smokey BLT" part.

13 posted on 11/30/2023 12:11:08 PM PST by Yo-Yo (Is the /Sarc tag really necessary? Pray for President Biden: Psalm 109:8)
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To: Signalman

10 years ago excluding tax you could get 16 double cheeseburgers for $16.00


14 posted on 11/30/2023 12:11:18 PM PST by LukeL
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To: dragnet2

What’s a McWhopper? Are you conflating the Big Mac at McDonald’s, with the Whopper at Burger King?


15 posted on 11/30/2023 12:13:31 PM PST by Dilbert San Diego
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To: HonorInPa

“So now that McD is unaffordable, people will be pushing for a $20 minimum wage - wash, rinse, repeat.”

I’m a low-end landlord. Several of my renters have a hard time making the rent. But they eat out constantly, have full cable, music services, etc. I, on the other hand, will pack a lunch, make much of my own food and generally plan my trips so I can buy gas at the lowest price. The fact that some people can’t make it on their income is often their own fault.


16 posted on 11/30/2023 12:21:58 PM PST by Gen.Blather (Wait! I said that out loud? )
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To: Signalman

What the article isn’t telling us is that this is the new McCrispy burger. A four pound patty with chocolate syrup whipped cream and M&M’s,all between 4 buttery pancakes.


17 posted on 11/30/2023 12:22:16 PM PST by Trump_Triumphant ("Our hearts are restless, Oh Lord, until they rest in thee"- St. Augustine)
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To: Yo-Yo

1965 McDonald's ad

18 posted on 11/30/2023 12:42:32 PM PST by Liz (Women have tremendous power — their femininity, because men can't do without it. Sidney Sheldon)
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To: Signalman; lightman

I just paid $11 dollars at a local diner for a salmon-burger (Nativity Fast), fries, a small salad, and a cup of coffee—MUCH better quality than McDonalds!! Better atmosphere, too!

McDonalds is scamming us, in collusion with the biden/obama government!!


19 posted on 11/30/2023 1:05:10 PM PST by Honorary Serb (Kosovo is Serbia! Free Srpska! Abolish ICTY!)
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To: Liz

Cursory review of the internet shows that 52 cents in 1965 corresponds to $5.08 today.

It sounds like McDonald’s prices have gone up adjusted for inflation.

Then again minimum wage increases in many places in America have escalated quite a bit. I’m sure that has impacted pricing.


20 posted on 11/30/2023 1:09:32 PM PST by Dilbert San Diego
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