Regarding housing, I'd venture that, due to lower interest rates, housing costs for many have actually declined. I've noticed no dramatic increase in food prices, either. I'd say prices on most consumer goods have been in a deflationary trend - some rebounding would be expected as economic activity increases. Inflation-adjusted gasoline prices are lower than in the 50's, and I'm not anxious to return to the Carter era gas lines. As to insurance costs, thank a lawyer and a byzantine health care system. Higher utility prices reflect the underlying problems in the energy industry, which the Demorats and their ilk exacerbate at every turn. As to taxes, the increases are at the state and local level, not Federal. All in all, I'd say economic performance has been pretty good considering that we've survived a major attack and fought two wars to boot.
The trend where I live in new-home building, is for larger more expensive homes...affordable, new construction for low to middle income families, is almost non-existent. This results in a sellers market, where the low-income home-buyer, is paying more for their home than they should. Our food costs have risen. I don't think inflation-adjusted prices, are what most people see at the pump..the taxes have not gone down. It doesn't matter who one thanks, it's the out-of-pocket expense that people see. The energy problems, regardless of the cause, still result in higher costs. State and local taxes still come out of the peoples pockets. Everytime the market starts looking good...the big guys sell...they can make a profit on stocks that go up 5 cents a share, because they have huge transactions...it's the guys with 500 or 1000 shares, that cannot take advantage of these increases, that get screwed.