Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle tried to assuage Americans’ concern over rising egg prices by arguing that today’s prices are relatively fair when compared to prices a century ago.
His Tuesday column, “Why Eggs Are Cheaper Than You Think,” acknowledged the “rising price of eggs” in recent months but provided additional context, using data from 1896 to make sense of it. that “eggs are still really cheap, historically”.
“If you look at old books, you’ll see that the authors treat eggs and chicken almost as a luxury. My 1950s ‘Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook’ includes recipes for chicken dishes. are – out of the ville. Go back further and the Fanny Farmer Cookbook of 1896 sternly informs readers that, ‘Eggs, even at twenty-five cents a dozen, should not be freely consumed by the strict economist. .’ An outlandish claim to the modern ear, unless you realize that in 1896 a pound of round steak was about 35 percent cheaper than a pound of eggs,” McArdle wrote.
The country’s hen industry has had to hike its egg prices for the first time in seven years. ()
The argument followed a previous Twitter trend in January in which social media users described eggs as a “luxury item” with people posting photos of prices as high as $11.49.
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Although 100% increase in price of eggs Year-over-year in December, McArdle explained that overall, on a relative income basis, egg prices have fallen significantly over the past century.
“Nearly all food items have become much cheaper than they were a century ago, relative to our incomes. But some food prices fell faster than others, and chicken and eggs were among those that fell the most. Improvements have been seen, thanks to the combination of agricultural innovations,” McArdle argued.
Crates of eggs at the farmers market. (iStock)
He explained that while the “average male factory worker” in 1905 could afford to take home about 41 cartons of eggs, today the average working man can buy 275 cartons of eggs.
He closed, “If you can’t help cringing at the cashier picking up eggs that cost twice as much as they did a year ago, it might help to remember how poor you used to be.” Yes, your ancestors must have taken one look at your grocery cart and declared you richer than their wildest dreams.”
As rising egg prices became more prominent, liberals and other figures on the left tried to blame capitalism and corporate greed. Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich accused Kellman of manipulating prices to make record profits.
Liberals blame capitalism for rising egg prices: ‘Happening in a hyper-capitalist country’
The Washington Post logo outside its headquarters. (Oliver Contreras/Getty Images for The Washington Post)
The article also received backlash on Twitter for mocking Kitchen Table Problems.
Entrepreneur Kevin Dalton jokes, ‘I feel better about not having to afford food for my family because my ancestors were poorer than me.’ – No one.”
Radio host Carol Roth commented, “The media is making fun of you.”
“WaPo: Stop complaining about eggs, it was worse in 1905,” wrote Heritage Foundation economist Peter St. Ong. Will go with.”
Washington Examiner Ian Howarth also joked, “Can’t stand food? Well your ancestors were hungry too, so shut up!”
“These people are idiots,” wrote talk show host Joe Pagliarulo.
“The sky is green,” commented radio host Jesse Kelly.
“You’re not seeing what you see. You’re not hearing what you’re hearing. You’re not feeling what you’re feeling. That’s okay,” tweeted Daily Wire associate editor Virginia Crotta. Yes, everything is fine.”
McArdle later commented on the backlash from his Twitter account.
“I honestly can’t believe people are getting mad about this column,” he commented, linking to the article.
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