Twitter users across the political spectrum excoriated Bloomberg News for an opinion column suggesting low income Americans find ways to lower their costs to deal with skyrocketing inflation.
The column, titled “Inflation Stings Most If You Earn Less Than $300K. Here’s How to Deal,” was written by Teresa Ghilarducci, a professor of economics at the New School for Social Research, a private university in New York. In it, she explains that inflation, especially soaring gas prices, will do much less harm to Americans who earn more than $289,000 per year. For those near the median income of around $50,000, or less, decisions will be much harder, Ghilarducci wrote.
“If your income is more than $289,000 a year, the run-up in gas prices may be alarming — but it’s unlikely to hammer your overall finances,” Ghilarducci wrote. “For those earning much less, it’s a different story.”
“I expect those most affected will adjust to inflation in the classic way by shifting away from relatively expensive items toward close substitutes,” she continued. “Here are some ideas on how to reconfigure consumption and lessen the blow. But again, adjustment is hard for people without savings or choices.”
Ghilarducci’s suggestions included:
- taking public transportation instead of driving;
- buying and eating meat subsitutes like lentils and vegetables;
- avoiding buying items in bulk;
- avoiding unnecessary charges; and
- avoiding medical expenses for pets
Bloomberg tweeted a link to the article Saturday. “Inflation stings most if you earn less than $300K,” the tweet read. “Here’s how to deal:
➡️ Take the bus
➡️ Don’t buy in bulk
➡️ Try lentils instead of meat
➡️ Nobody said this would be fun
Inflation stings most if you earn less than $300K. Here’s how to deal:
➡️ Take the bus
➡️ Don’t buy in bulk
➡️ Try lentils instead of meat
➡️ Nobody said this would be fun https://t.co/HGJEoXL5ZZ— Bloomberg Opinion (@bopinion) March 19, 2022
Twitter users from both Left and Right reacted swiftly and scathingly to the out-of-touch headline, clobbering the outlet for its condescending tone, particularly the line, “nobody said this would be fun.”
“So for basically everyone lol,” CBS News White House Reporter Kathryn Watson tweeted in reply.
So for basically everyone lol https://t.co/8AyIuh7fkD
— Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) March 20, 2022
“The median annual salary in the US is $35K!” Economics professor and Brookings Institution Nonresident Senior Fellow Shamika Ravi tweeted, citing statistics from the Federal Reserve Economic Data. “Inflation is record high (40 year high of 7.5%),” she added. “Coping suggestions will get more and more ludicrous…”
The median annual salary in the US is $35K! Inflation is record high (40 year high of 7.5%). Coping suggestions will get more and more ludicrous… https://t.co/ticyTqp1nW
— Prof Shamika Ravi (@ShamikaRavi) March 20, 2022
“Inflation stings most if you’re in the bottom 99% of earners,” University of Denver political scientist Seth Masket noted.
Inflation stings most if you’re in the bottom 99% of earners. https://t.co/UIJwLsrUng
— Seth Masket (@smotus) March 20, 2022
“The Liberal Establishment Guide To Handling Inflation: ‘Eat lentils, poors!’” wrote Michael Knowles, host of “The Michael Knowles Show” at The Daily Wire.
The Liberal Establishment Guide To Handling Inflation:
“Eat lentils, poors!” https://t.co/Z3tWy9iluh
— Michael Knowles 🤌🏼 (@michaeljknowles) March 20, 2022
“Crazy that one of the suggestions isn’t to stop paying subscriptions to out of touch, dusty media outlets,” tweeted “American Dad” screenwriter Soren Bowie.
Crazy that one of the suggestions isn’t to stop paying subscriptions to out of touch, dusty media outlets. https://t.co/C1dTlzqYX3
— Soren Bowie (@Soren_Ltd) March 20, 2022
“Good news. According to Bloomberg, you can avoid all the disastrous policies of the Biden White House for just a mere $300k a year!” said Texas Republican Congressional Candidate Wesley Hunt. “Can you say, tone deaf?”
Good news. According to Bloomberg, you can avoid all the disastrous policies of the Biden White House for just a mere $300k a year!
Can you say, tone deaf? https://t.co/qFQUdpHxVo
— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) March 20, 2022
“Tips to cope with inflation if you’re poor: – suck it up, buttercup,” replied left-wing activist Emily Gorcenski.
Tips to cope with inflation if you’re poor:
– suck it up, buttercup https://t.co/uxhaPySte8
— Emily G (@EmilyGorcenski) March 20, 2022
Other responses are below:
Have you read headlines like this one lately? The mind reels. Boggles. Who the hell do these people think they are? https://t.co/D6YgbSO91e
— Matthew J. Peterson (@docMJP) March 20, 2022
i keep buying lentils but im still poor, what gives https://t.co/Tt5sqLdSJQ
— Broski (@broskiFGC) March 20, 2022
— Matt’s Idea Shop (@MattsIdeaShop) March 20, 2022
“Nobody said this would be fun”? https://t.co/9j1anwFAw0
— Elwë Singollo ❄️ 🧝🏻♀️ (@Strangeland_Elf) March 20, 2022
➡️ Turn off the money printer https://t.co/BWVhjSq51Q
— Senator Michael Rulli (@michaelrulli) March 20, 2022
People really, really, really, really do not like inflation, and this is why https://t.co/W7TVIJvgD2
— Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦 (@Noahpinion) March 20, 2022
I don’t think “get rid of your car and eat lentils instead of meat” is a winning message for Democrats. https://t.co/gtxBAVEm5U
— Matt Rinaldi (@MattRinaldiTX) March 20, 2022
Are they serious with this shit? https://t.co/9Bw7Eyiom1
— Ashe Short (@AsheSchow) March 20, 2022
Get used to poordom, suckers. https://t.co/wCv3pNpKsE
— John Ales AF (@IAmJohnAles) March 20, 2022
Consumer inflation surged to another historic high in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index. The inflation rate rose to 7.9% annually, the fastest increase since January 1982. Wholesale producer prices also surged to record highs. The Producer Price Index showed a 10% increase in wholesale price inflation in February, which was also the largest annual increase on record.