We all know who Time’s Person of the Year is; not that it’s a big deal anymore given the magazine’s lackluster reputation. But it did make me wonder if becoming the president-elect was an automatic “in” for the title. It seems it is. From Harry Truman through the current winner, the only president-elect who didn’t merit a cover was Gerald Ford, this according to Time itself.
The president-elect gave the magazine a lengthy interview as well. And one of the things he said struck me. On the campaign trail, he promised to lower grocery prices; yesterday he said, “It’s hard to bring things down once they’re up.” (Again according to Time.)
I didn’t need to read the interview to know this firsthand. Various trips to the supermarket since the election have confirmed it. A ten ounce bag of potato chips is over $5. Six pieces of tissue paper for wrapping gifts is $1.99. Asparagus is the price of gold. Only alcohol (which is regulated by the state in Michigan) and milk are the same as before November 5.
And the free catalogue I sent to C in upstate New York cost – take a deep breath – $26 worth of postage at the UPS store. Gas is up; then it’s down; but mostly up again, proving a certain point.
I do not believe the incoming president cares one whit about grocery prices. Or gasoline prices. Or anything except his image. So perhaps he’s pleased to be Person of the Year for the second time. It just takes all the oxygen out of the rest of us.
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