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Memorial Day marks the official start of summer, the time on the calendar when schools close, vacations begin, and families hit the road in search of adventure. It’s a joyous time, but this year the Biden administration is doing its best to put a damper on the season. Here are five White House policies for your summer fun.
1. Airlines
Anyone who has spent time in an airport these days knows the headaches of domestic travel. Delays, cancellations, long lines, oversold flights: all of these are common and none of them pleasant. Sensing its power in the election, the Biden administration is obsessed with so-called “junk fees” – enacting sweeping regulations across the Ministry of transportation (DOT) which faced immediate legal challenges – while blocking private sector efforts to resolve the problem.
When JetBlue Airways attempted to acquire Spirit in an attempt to increase its supply, Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) sued them. Ditto with the partnership proposed last year between JetBlue and American Airlines. The immediate result was decreased service in more cities, where JetBlue was forced to suspend operations. Remember that next time direct flights will not be available or will be very expensive.
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2. Gas prices
For adventurers who take the highways, the situation is not much better. The average cost of a gallon of gasoline is $3.60, compared to $2.40 when Donald Trump left office, an increase of 50 percent. Aware of the political peril (notice a trend?), the administration is flooding the market by releasing key strategic reserves “to maximize its impact on gasoline prices.”
From day one, the Biden administration has kept its foot on the throats of domestic energy producers to appease the administration’s green fringe, driving up prices. If you’re one of the lucky ones able to fill up, don’t get used to it. The administration is going after your cars, imposing harsh tailpipe emissions standards to force consumers to adopt the electric vehicles that the free market rejects.
3. Technology
Once you’re in the car and looking for directions, don’t get too comfortable using Google Maps. Last fall, Biden’s DOJ filed a lawsuit against the California-based company in a backlash lawsuit centered on popular Google products like Search. Its outcome is expected later this year and could lead to reduced consumer choice and higher prices.
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4. Food prices
If you get hungry during the road trip, buckle up and take advantage of higher prices. A Big Mac costs $7.49 these days, up from $3.99 at the end of 2019, an increase of 88%. California recently raised its minimum wage at fast food restaurants to $20, leading to job losses and rising prices. A federal standard may not be far away. Biden has offered little relief, instead standing with union bosses in their efforts to pass a regulation known as joint employer, a union giveaway that would completely cripple the franchise model.
Meanwhile, Biden’s Federal Trade Commission, led by Lina Khan chairblocked a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons that would result in greater access to groceries for more consumers.
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5. Delivery
So, at this point, in the face of all these obstacles, you could be forgiven for deciding to “stay on vacation.” Not so fast. To distract from the endless inflation rates fueled by its spending spree, the Biden administration has gone after some of the nation’s most successful delivery companies, again involving so-called “junk fees.” “.
The Department of Labor (DOL) has attempted to undermine its business model by eroding the independent contractor model that allows companies to use delivery drivers to earn a few extra dollars on their own schedule. Meanwhile, the FTC has taken Amazon to court in another lawsuit that could lead to the end of the popular delivery company and the fast shipping and small business ecosystem it provides.
Bidenomics has pushed consumer confidence to a six-month low, but we have persevered through tough times before and we will again. Get out and enjoy your summer and remember that American innovation knows no bounds, despite the best efforts of the Biden administration.
