US voters and the cost of living
How major news stories are affecting the lives of people around the world.
Throughout the presidential election campaign, we have been hearing from voters across the political spectrum. One issue keeps coming up: how much it costs to live, to feed the family, to fuel a car, or to pay the rent or mortgage.
Surveys have consistently indicated the economy is a top concern for Americans 鈥 transcending age and political affiliation. Since the pandemic, most people in the country have experienced steep price rises of many essentials like housing, groceries and fuel.
But the economic outlook is good. Last week, the US Commerce Department released the latest figures on the state of the nation鈥檚 finances. They showed that the economy grew by 2.8 percent and that the country is on track for one of the strongest economic performances of any major economy this year. So why aren鈥檛 people feeling it?
In our conversations, we bring together young people in Connecticut, Texas and Pennsylvania. And we hear from two generations of families who are facing similar challenges.
鈥淯nemployment might be down and the economy might be doing great, but I feel like for the average American it鈥檚 still a struggle,鈥 Miriam in the swing state of Georgia tells us. 鈥淚鈥檓 living from pay check to pay check right now.鈥
Presenters: Mark Lowen and Luke Jones.
麻豆社 Producer: Iqra Farooq.
Boffin Media Producers: Sue Nelson and Richard Hollingham
An EcoAudio certified Boffin Media production in partnership with the 麻豆社 OS team.
(Photo: Whitney and Scott with their children. Credit: Whitney and Scott)
Last on
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Last Friday 20:06GMT麻豆社 World Service Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, Online & Europe and the Middle East only
- Last Friday 21:06GMT麻豆社 World Service except Online, Americas and the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East & UK DAB/Freeview
- Last Saturday 09:06GMT麻豆社 World Service except East Asia, Europe and the Middle East & South Asia
- Last Saturday 16:06GMT麻豆社 World Service News Internet
- Last Saturday 19:06GMT麻豆社 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Sunday 00:06GMT麻豆社 World Service except Americas and the Caribbean
- Sunday 12:06GMT麻豆社 World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa