Gas Prices

How much of "We are hurting, we are struggling, the president (any president) is ruining our lives" boils down to gas prices, which people see every day on big signs? There is the claim that it's housing costs, but those were a little higher a couple of years ago. People point to groceries, but there was a lot of wailing and general brouhaha about eggs not so long ago and eggs are back down, as predicted. Milk is the same. Hamburg is still up, maybe that is the impression-leader. We have an expensive war, but not in terms of American lives, and the same could be said of Ukraine, Venezuela, etc. It's not really driving prices higher, except for the very noticeable gas prices, which will be temporary.

I am not at all claiming that this is uniquely unfair to Republicans.  It has been true all my life, though perhaps more true now. It makes no sense, as the price is volatile in response to many circumstances that are ignored. But otherwise sensible people seem to be easily convinced that "Gas prices are up = the economy is bad" regardless of what else is happening. I think it is visibility, both in terms of signage and in terms of how often we purchase it. Memories are short, also.  I remember a FB post from about 2015 extolling President Obama for bringing gas prices down. But he still holds the record for inflation-adjusted at $5.08 in 2012. The prices we see are mostly about inflation.  The ultra-cheap prices of $0.36/gal in 1970?  $2.96 now. 

It makes me crazy.