The effects of Bidenflation on the Philly cheesesteak

NEWS AND OPINION:

Nothing is immune from inflation these days.

Americans for Tax Reform, a nonprofit taxpayer advocacy group, has revealed the effect of inflation on a certain delicious and iconic Philadelphia treat.

This timely idea was inspired, of course, by the appearance of the newly minted Democratic presidential ticket — Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — in that fair city on Tuesday night.

“Inflation is felt at every level of the economy. One everyday example is the price change of Philly cheesesteaks,” the group said in a brief report shared with Inside the Beltway.

“Rib-eye steak has gotten much more expensive since Vice President Harris took office. The key component in the beloved sandwich is rib-eye steak. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks the price of rib-eye in a category called uncooked beefsteaks which include all ’steaks other than round or sirloin.’ Since Harris took office in 2021, the price of uncooked beefsteaks has risen over 29% from $8.25 to $10.64 per pound,” the report said.

“Hoagie rolls are also much more expensive since Harris took office. The preferred hoagie for cheesesteaks, the rolls have increased in price by over 62% since Harris took office, from $0.69 per roll to $1.12,” it continued.

“Philadelphia cheesesteak menu prices are up since Harris took office. Back in January 2021, one could expect to walk into Geno’s Steaks and grab their signature cheesesteak for $11. Today, that same sandwich is $14, an increase of 27%. Dalessandro’s cheesesteak price is up 30%, while Pat’s King of Steaks cheesesteaks have gone up by 58%,” the report said.

“Don’t just take anyone’s word for it; simply walk over to your local cheesesteak shop and see for yourself,” it said.

PLEDGE HAS AN EDGE

“A majority of Americans still support requiring school children to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily,” according to a new Rasmussen Reports survey that found that 55% of U.S. adults believe youngsters should be required to say the pledge every morning at school.

Another 30% oppose the idea, while 15% are undecided.

The survey of 1,238 U.S. adults was conducted online and by telephone on July 25 and July 28-29, and released Wednesday.

The first version of the Pledge of Allegiance, by the way, appeared in 1892.

GARDEN LOYALTY

The gardens will miss him, no doubt.

The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association reveals that Dean Norton — Mount Vernon’s revered and official director of horticulture and livestock — will retire at the end of the year. He has been tending to the assorted needs of flora and fauna for 55 years at the historic Northern Virginia home of George Washington.

Mr. Norton first arrived on the hallowed grounds on June 23, 1969, and has diligently researched 18th-century gardens and gardening practices of America’s early days ever since.

His work can be seen in the restoration of Washington’s botanical garden, upper garden, bowling green, fruit garden and nursery.

“The beauty of the faithfully restored gardens and the meticulously preserved landscapes at Mount Vernon are the fruits of 55 years of his labor of love. Dean’s character, service and dedication reflect the best of Mount Vernon and George Washington,” Margaret Nichols, the 23rd regent of the aforementioned association, said in a written statement.

Mr. Norton said in a recent podcast released by the historic property that “whether it’s at a historic site or modern day, horticulture really hasn’t changed from Jesus Christ’s time. It is working the earth, knowing soils, planning, and watering. Horticulture is the art and science of the cultivation of plants, and that’s what we do here.”

“I went to school to learn about horticulture, but certainly not about history — that’s not part of horticulture,” he continued. “But when you end up at a historic site like Mount Vernon, it comes with the territory.”

Find the podcast — and more — at Mountvernon.org.

FOR THE LEXICON

“Dangerously liberal.”

This evocative phrase comes to us from Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who uses it to describe the current tour of Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz, who already have paid an initial call on the great state of Wisconsin.

It is the first of quite a few campaign stops, and the clock is ticking — keep in mind that Election Day is a mere 89 days away, as of Thursday. Mr. Whatley, however, has a few troubling facts and details to point out.

“Wisconsin families are already paying nearly $25,000 more per year under Bidenomics. Now, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz want to bring their California dream to the Badger State by raising costs on families, opening the southern border, defunding the police, and confiscating firearms from law-abiding gun owners. The dangerously liberal Harris-Walz agenda is out-of-step with Midwest values, and voters in Wisconsin and across the Heartland will reject their extreme vision for America when they send President Trump back to the White House,” he said.

POLL DU JOUR

• 80% of U.S. adults agree that America would be better off if more Americans worked in manufacturing fields.

• 79% agree that global trade has harmed some American manufacturing industries.

• 77% agree that Americans shouldn’t be allowed to trade with countries that allow unsafe and unfair working conditions to persist.

• 68% agree that U.S. citizens should be free to buy and sell to almost anyone in the world without government interference.

• 65% agree that people in other countries are using trade to steal American technology.

• 63% agree that globalization and trade with other countries has hollowed out the American middle class.

• 61% agree that Americans are cheated by trade agreements with other countries.

• 61% agree that the U.S. becomes richer and safer as its people trade with people in countries throughout the world.

• 55% agree that the U.S. trading with China helps increase global stability and peace.

SOURCE: A Cato Institute 2024 Trade and Globalization National Survey of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted Feb. 22–29 and released Wednesday.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.