“I would choose Governor Ron DeSantis as Vice President should JD Vance move up to President,” writes contributor Shirley W. “Tulsi Gabbard for VP,” adds another.

Rick S. says: “Potential VP pick? Vivek Ramaswamy: Vance already knows him. He’s articulate, conservative and seems credible. That’s hard to find in a politician.”

As for Friday’s inflation-centric topic, Jacqueline K. writes: “I'm sorry, but you’re way off. Trump has been in office for two weeks. How do you expect inflation to go down in that amount of time?”

And John B. takes issue with Friday’s stats: “You trust anything from YALE! You trust the AP! Trump’s inauguration was 14 days ago. He can’t just wave a magic wand and make inflation go away.”

Then there’s this inflation snapshot from Edward S…

“I own a daycare center in a small town in southern Illinois and have been in business for 30 years. We have maxed out the amount that we can charge for our services and still keep the doors open. 

“Our average customers — young families — are having trouble making ends meet. Unfortunately, I do not see any relief in the foreseeable future.

“The squeeze is definitely real and getting worse by the day. The supposed strong state of the economy is just a mirage.

“Heaven help us all.”

Finally, Denise W. says: “Weekly grocery bill is $200-300 per week for my husband and me. We’re retired, but not worried. So far, we’re doing OK financially. I send checks to a local food bank to help others.”

Which leads to our topic today…

Your Rundown for Monday, February 3, 2025...

Food Insecurity 9-1-1

Food banks nationwide are witnessing a surge in demand — not from the unemployed, but from working Americans grappling with the rising cost of living.

Emily Engelhard of Feeding America describes this as “a new era of food insecurity,” emphasizing that it's not an unemployment issue but a consequence of soaring prices.

• Over the past five years, grocery prices have skyrocketed nearly 30%, matching the increase seen over the 15 years before the pandemic.

Now, from Arizona to Washington D.C., food banks are breaking records in meal distribution.

The Flagstaff Family Food Center, for instance, now serves over 40,000 meals monthly… marking a fourfold increase from 2015.

In the nation’s capital, the Capital Area Food Bank distributed 64 million meals last fiscal year… with the sharpest increases in food insecurity among households earning $100,000-$150,000.

And food insecurity has dire consequences on health and well-being:

• It increases the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and obesity.

• Food insecurity strains healthcare systems, leading to increased hospitalizations and healthcare costs.

• It promotes higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicidality.

• Children face developmental challenges, including cognitive delays and behavioral problems.

• Beyond health, food insecurity affects economic productivity by reducing workforce participation and educational outcomes.

Overall, the ongoing erosion of purchasing power continues to drive many, including middle-income and educated individuals, to seek assistance from food banks.

And food insecurity creates a cycle of poor health and economic hardship that can persist across generations.

Market Rundown for Monday, Feb. 3, 2025

S&P 500 futures are down 1.60% to 5,970.

Oil is up 2.35% to $74.25 for a barrel of WTI.

Gold is up 0.40% to $2,847.50 per ounce.

But Bitcoin’s down 3%, just under $95,000 at the time of writing.