Majority of New Hampshire Residents Express Concerns About the Economy, CBS News Reports
In a recent report on “CBS Mornings,” co-host Tony Dokoupil revealed that his team was unable to find anyone outside a New Hampshire grocery store who felt positive about the state of the economy. This comes despite macroeconomic indicators showing signs of improvement.
Rising Food Prices and Public Perception
Dokoupil highlighted the complaints from individuals about higher food prices, even though inflation rates have been cooling down. These concerns were voiced by locals in New Hampshire, a key demographic for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
Speaking to CBS anchors in New Hampshire, Dokoupil stated, “People are really bummed out about the economy here in New Hampshire. Even if the overall big picture numbers are going in the right direction, and even if people’s own personal experiences in general are going okay, there’s a lot of gloom.”
He specifically mentioned the impact of rising food prices, noting that they have been a significant factor contributing to the negative sentiment. Dokoupil and his team interviewed individuals outside a grocery store in Derry, New Hampshire, and were unable to find anyone feeling optimistic about the economy.
Psychological Impact of Rising Prices
Dokoupil explained that it is natural for individuals to feel frustrated when they see prices increasing for items they purchase regularly. He stated, “Psychologically, you go into a store, if you’re paying more for items that you get every week, that really sticks with you, it really annoys you, it gets you down. People were upset about it.”
However, Dokoupil also acknowledged that despite the higher prices, locals in New Hampshire are managing to make ends meet. While they may be bothered by the price hikes, they are still finding ways to survive.
Local Reactions and Interviews
The report from Dokoupil previewed an upcoming segment on “CBS Evening News” that featured interviews with locals in New Hampshire. In one interview, Dokoupil attempted to reassure a woman by mentioning that the government has brought down the inflation rate. However, the woman laughed and dismissed his statement, saying, “I don’t know what pocketbook they’re looking at, but it ain’t mine.”
Another family interviewed by Dokoupil explained that multiple members of their household work to make ends meet. A young man in the family expressed frustration, saying, “Six of us in the house. Five of us work. You know, it’s like, if you go back, like, 30 years, two incomes would have covered all of our expenses, probably.”
These interviews highlight the concerns and challenges faced by everyday Americans despite claims of economic progress.
