~46~ Lame Duck Unfit Uncle Joe Biden ~46~

[seacoaster]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business ... ves-again/

"It’s barely 2022 and already social media is swamped with pictures of empty grocery shelves — from cream cheese to paper towels, children’s juice boxes and cat food.

Some of the culprits for this round of shortfalls are the same as in the early days of the pandemic, and some can be chalked up to new problems bumping up against old ones.

Here are some of the reasons an array of your favorite items may be out of stock at grocery stores.

Omicron’s surge

The omicron variant surge has meant more work for stores — more deep cleaning, a return to masking and social distancing — just as more employees can’t work and are calling out due to illness or quarantine.

In a Monday call with 27 food industry chief executives, Geoff Freeman, CEO of the industry organization Consumer Brands Association, said more employee absences were reported in the past two weeks than in all of 2020.

“That’s remarkable,” he said. “Throw on top of that being down 120,000 truck drivers nationally, and another 10 percent of workers being absent at food manufacturing facilities, and you’re putting a lot of pressure on the system all at one time.”

Covid has swept through supermarket chain Stew Leonard’s, which has stores in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Some 200 of its 2,500 employees are out sick or in quarantine, said owner Stew Leonard Jr.

“It puts a challenge, for example, on making every kind of pizza you want: The pineapple and ham pizza, we’ve decided not to make,” Leonard said. “And most manufacturers out here have done the same thing. Everyone is hit with a shortage of labor. Some because of the Great Resignation, but a lot of it is the omicron surge.”

Access to rapid coronavirus tests is also making it challenging to get employees back to work swiftly, he added.

“Two weeks ago, our No. 1 selling item at Stew Leonard’s was filet mignon. Right now, the No. 1 seller is the rapid tests. We have a warehouse in New Jersey where we pick them up. We sent a tractor trailer and asked them to load them up. They said, ‘Not so fast. How much do you want to pay for them?’ It was a bidding war right there on the loading dock.”

The National Grocers Association has requested its grocers be prioritized for testing supplies from federal and state governments, and they’ve also asked for flexibility with new federal vaccination and testing mandates with the aim of minimizing further workforce disruptions, said Jim Dudlicek, the trade group’s communications director. With the prevalence of the omicron variant, even among vaccinated workers, many grocery chains are operating stores with less than half of their normal workforce, which makes it harder to stock and display grocery items or to prepare foods made on-site.

“While there is plenty of food in the supply chain, we anticipate consumers will continue to experience sporadic disruptions in certain product categories as we have seen over the past year and a half due to the ongoing supply and labor challenges,” Dudlicek said.

Winter weather

Winter storms dumped more than a foot of snow across parts of the Mid-Atlantic just after the New Year, and sweeping weather systems have made road conditions difficult in many parts of the country in the past two weeks.


For example, the 20-plus-hour traffic jam last week on I-95 near Stafford, Va., paralyzed a fair number of grocery delivery semi trucks.

“The winter months are always challenging,” said Doug Baker, vice president of industry relations for FMI, a food industry organization. “But we’ve seen weather patterns that we’re not used to in terms of frequency and magnitude, from the West Coast to the East Coast.”

In addition to weather delaying the delivery to grocery stores around the country, Baker said bad weather also influences consumer psychology, which played into some items becoming out of stock.

“There are certain products people ritually buy when there is an impending weather event,” Baker said. “And then when people see images of stores low on stock, it’s not out of the ordinary for people to buy two of something instead of one, just in case.”

And with more than 5,000 schools delaying their reopening this month due to the omicron surge and storms, families are feeling a greater urgency to lay in supplies of bread, milk, meat and cereal to make up for meals not eaten at school.

Supply chain snarls

Supply chain problems are no longer just about shipping containers sitting in ports or out at sea, waiting to be unloaded. They are also about the slowing of the production of goods that the United States imports.

In China and the United Kingdom, some municipalities have once again shut down factories and thus slowed orders for certain ingredients and food products for U.S. imports.

“A lot of our ingredients and products come from countries that have had their own spikes,” Baker said. “Some countries have taken a very strict approach and shut down manufacturing, so that slows the whole process down. It’s not just a domestic issue, it’s about how other countries are dealing with omicron.”

Still, at the nation’s busiest port, the Port of Los Angeles, cargo volume fell sharply in November compared with a year earlier, according to the port’s own figures.

Fruits and vegetables have seen fewer instances of shortfalls and supply problems than other food categories, but currently there are some empty shelves that are more about food safety. The Food and Drug Administration last week issued a voluntary recall on certain bagged salads and other vegetables due to possible listeria contamination. In general, though, there have been fewer food recalls during the pandemic.

More people eating at home

A combination of factors from rising inflation to surging omicron cases are prompting households to eat at home more — once again meaning grocery stores are being inundated with shoppers.

Grocery sales climbed more than 8 percent in December, according to national retail sales tracker Mastercard SpendingPulse. Stores are still restocking from that surge and have been struggling to keep shelves fully stocked in several categories since the beginning of this year, according to data firm IRI’s consumer packaged goods supply index.

“We’re seeing a lot of restocking and replenishment going on,” said Jessica Dankert, vice president of supply chain for Retail Leaders Industry Association. The heavy shopping season has come at a particularly difficult time for coming out of the holiday period, when families traditionally cook more at home anyway.

Widespread storms and the increased hesitancy around dining out because of the omicron surge have contributed to more demand at grocers.

Also, in some cities, restaurants and other food service establishments had to close temporarily due to covid outbreaks among workers, which sent even more families to dine at home in December.

“You’ll see that replenishment build back up,” Dankert predicted, “but we’ll see these disruptions for months to come.” Inflation has also been influencing consumer behavior, driving them to eat more at home and travel and eat out less.

Grocery prices rose 6.4 percent over the past 12 months ending in December, the largest increase since 2008, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics index of prices. And for subcategories such as beef, prices rose a staggering 20.9 percent.

Datassential’s analysts say consumers turn away from restaurants and back to home dining when food prices surge. Restaurant-going becomes more of a splurge. Couple that with consumer hesitancy due to omicron, and consumers are swinging back to eating more grocery store food."

[kramerica.inc]

We have gone backwards': Covid confusion snarls Biden White House

A half dozen former health policy makers, including members of Biden’s transition team, said the Biden administration needs an urgent strategy reset.

Biden was elected president, in large part, based on a message of ‘I’m competent, I’m capable, I will tell you the truth and I will get a handle on Covid in a way my predecessor could not and refused to do,’ and that continues to be the No. 1 issue for most people,” said Kathleen Sebelius, who served as Health and Human Services secretary in the Obama administration.

She added, “I do think it's about competence and capability and telling the truth and using all of the tools that are at the president's disposal.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1287282

[dislaxxic]

yeah, because J-Biden's approach is SO MUCH WORSE than Orange Cheeto's approach!

Anybody want to go back to The Moron's approach??

Didn't think so...

..

[kramerica.inc]

yeah, because J-Biden's approach is SO MUCH WORSE than Orange Cheeto's approach!

Anybody want to go back to The Moron's approach??

Didn't think so...

..

Yup. Who cares about Biden's shi-tty response because Trumps would have probably been shi-ttier.



Nice to live in the world where, Trump's incompetence is the only standard you have.

[youthathletics]

We have gone backwards': Covid confusion snarls Biden White House

A half dozen former health policy makers, including members of Biden’s transition team, said the Biden administration needs an urgent strategy reset.

Biden was elected president, in large part, based on a message of ‘I’m competent, I’m capable, I will tell you the truth and I will get a handle on Covid in a way my predecessor could not and refused to do,’ and that continues to be the No. 1 issue for most people,” said Kathleen Sebelius, who served as Health and Human Services secretary in the Obama administration.

She added, “I do think it's about competence and capability and telling the truth and using all of the tools that are at the president's disposal.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1287282

This is not solely covid19, it is his entire term thus far. He never talks to people, has about a dozen fires burning around him...it has rendered him stuck in indecision. ANd his supporting staff know full well if they prop him up out there....they'll be spending more time clarifying damned near everything he says. So, its far easier to have him say nothing, and let the media complain about that, rather than them performing damage control.

The omicron/cv-19 issue would be a simple fire to put out, but nope they don't want him talking anymore than he must.

[kramerica.inc]

C'mon Man! Low hanging fruit.
He's already accomplished goal #1- no more mean tweets. Improve the tenor of the country.
Now let's move onto something a little bigger- like fixing the supply chain. Something with tangible info/resources to improve. Those employment numbers are through the roof. No excuses there.
He can move on to addressing Covid with all the unknowns later.

[MDlaxfan76]

yeah, because J-Biden's approach is SO MUCH WORSE than Orange Cheeto's approach!

Anybody want to go back to The Moron's approach??

Didn't think so...

..

Yup. Who cares about Biden's shi-tty response because Trumps would have probably been shi-ttier.



Nice to live in the world where, Trump's incompetence is the only standard you have.

No, Trump was indeed worse...we don't have to say "probably".

[a fan]

C'mon Man! Low hanging fruit.
He's already accomplished goal #1- no more mean tweets. Improve the tenor of the country.
Now let's move onto something a little bigger- like fixing the supply chain

Already did....passed the first infrastructure bill in a generation. Biden can take a nap and STILL accomplish more than the last three Presidents combined in that one, single bill that every American can get behind.

You don't get to pretend that that didn't happen, Kram.

[kramerica.inc]

C'mon Man! Low hanging fruit.
He's already accomplished goal #1- no more mean tweets. Improve the tenor of the country.
Now let's move onto something a little bigger- like fixing the supply chain

Already did....passed the first infrastructure bill in a generation. Biden can take a nap and STILL accomplish more than the last three Presidents combined in that one, single bill that every American can get behind.

You don't get to pretend that that didn't happen, Kram.

The supply chain is still all jacked up. Those empty shelves at the Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens and CostCo today weren't my imagination.
No one has seen a dime from the infrastructure bill. We wont know if its a success for years.
But you're right- it sure is an innocuous bill every American can get behind. "Yay, they're gonna fix stuff, they promise!"

[cradleandshoot]

yeah, because J-Biden's approach is SO MUCH WORSE than Orange Cheeto's approach!

Anybody want to go back to The Moron's approach??

Didn't think so...

..

At least with trump we could buy all the cream cheese we wanted... and bagels too.

[a fan]

The supply chain is still all jacked up. Those empty shelves at the Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens and CostCo today weren't my imagination.

Nope, they're not. You're telling me as a lifelong Republican that you want the Federal government to step in, and do.....what?

Make Kamala Harris CEO at Walgreens? Federalize manufacturing? Federalize trucking?

This is----soup to nuts----a private industry problem. Why are you asking the Federal Government to step in and do Private Industry's job....to do their job why? Because they have failed?

No one has seen a dime from the infrastructure bill. We wont know if its a success for years.
But you're right- it sure is an innocuous bill every American can get behind. "Yay, they're gonna fix stuff, they promise!"

I don't get it...... you're against THE most basic function of government?

[cradleandshoot]

C'mon Man! Low hanging fruit.
He's already accomplished goal #1- no more mean tweets. Improve the tenor of the country.
Now let's move onto something a little bigger- like fixing the supply chain

Already did....passed the first infrastructure bill in a generation. Biden can take a nap and STILL accomplish more than the last three Presidents combined in that one, single bill that every American can get behind.

You don't get to pretend that that didn't happen, Kram.

That is a good thing, napping is what Joe excels at in this stage of his life. As long as somebody in his administration keeps him up to speed at what he accomplished while he was asleep.

[cradleandshoot]

The supply chain is still all jacked up. Those empty shelves at the Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens and CostCo today weren't my imagination.

Nope, they're not. You're telling me as a lifelong Republican that you want the Federal government to step in, and do.....what?

Make Kamala Harris CEO at Walgreens? Federalize manufacturing? Federalize trucking?

This is----soup to nuts----a private industry problem. Why are you asking the Federal Government to step in and do Private Industry's job....to do their job why? Because they have failed?

No one has seen a dime from the infrastructure bill. We wont know if its a success for years.
But you're right- it sure is an innocuous bill every American can get behind. "Yay, they're gonna fix stuff, they promise!"

I don't get it...... you're against THE most basic function of government?

I know you are much smarter than me a Fan. I've been on this earth for almost 64 years. If such a thing as the most basic function of government exists I'll be damned if i know what it is. I might have thought something like a balanced budget and living within our means as a nation as much as possible. Those ships sailed a long time ago on a one way trip to the edge of the earth.

[get it to x]

The supply chain is still all jacked up. Those empty shelves at the Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens and CostCo today weren't my imagination.

Nope, they're not. You're telling me as a lifelong Republican that you want the Federal government to step in, and do.....what?

Make Kamala Harris CEO at Walgreens? Federalize manufacturing? Federalize trucking?

This is----soup to nuts----a private industry problem. Why are you asking the Federal Government to step in and do Private Industry's job....to do their job why? Because they have failed?

No one has seen a dime from the infrastructure bill. We wont know if its a success for years.
But you're right- it sure is an innocuous bill every American can get behind. "Yay, they're gonna fix stuff, they promise!"

I don't get it...... you're against THE most basic function of government?

Actually the most basic function of government is to protect us from invasion. Infrastructure was a state (or private) function until the interstate system began. And most of that was financed through gasoline tax. This current bill is a mish mash of crap we have no business doing, like EV charging stations. Did the federal gov build your local Exxon station. How many EV's would be sold without a tax credit?

And what good is infrastructure if Biden is going to basically fire a whole lot of truckers with his vax mandate? You think store shelves are bare now, just wait.

[youthathletics]

Awwwwwwhh shiznet.....here comes an afan reply for the ages.

[NattyBohChamps04]

yeah, because J-Biden's approach is SO MUCH WORSE than Orange Cheeto's approach!

Anybody want to go back to The Moron's approach??

Didn't think so...

..

At least with trump we could buy all the cream cheese we wanted... and bagels too.

Funny how everyone forgets the various empty shelves pre January 2021

Cream cheese and bagels have regularly sold out around here for nearly 2 years. Have to plan around the deliveries to keep the bagels shmeared.

[a fan]

Actually the most basic function of government is to protect us from invasion. Infrastructure was a state (or private) function until the interstate system began.

Right. And why did Eisenhower pass that intial bill? Military mobility, remember?

This current bill is a mish mash of crap we have no business doing, like EV charging stations. Did the federal gov build your local Exxon station. How many EV's would be sold without a tax credit?

You're forgetting that Americans CHOSE to subsidize gas-cars. Who pays for all those asphalt roads? The .gov. Why? Why aren't they all a network of private roads, owned and managed by private companies?

You're taking the largest handout in the history of our country, and taking it for granted. Picture what America would look like if we had, instead, pumped all those Trillions and trillions of dollars for roads and instead.....built rails?

You want to end subsidies for cars? Simply way to do that----sell all the asphalt roads in America to private interests. I don't think you'll like what that does to our country, but I'll try anything once!

And what good is infrastructure if Biden is going to basically fire a whole lot of truckers with his vax mandate? You think store shelves are bare now, just wait.

They're bare now because people all over the globe are getting Covid, and missing work, Get it to X. And it's not a vaxx mandate...it's a vaccinate OR test and mask mandate. Not the same thing.

I'm against a vaxx mandate.

[get it to x]

Actually the most basic function of government is to protect us from invasion. Infrastructure was a state (or private) function until the interstate system began.

Right. And why did Eisenhower pass that intial bill? Military mobility, remember?

This current bill is a mish mash of crap we have no business doing, like EV charging stations. Did the federal gov build your local Exxon station. How many EV's would be sold without a tax credit?

You're forgetting that Americans CHOSE to subsidize gas-cars. Who pays for all those asphalt roads? The .gov. Why? Why aren't they all a network of private roads, owned and managed by private companies?

You're taking the largest handout in the history of our country, and taking it for granted. Picture what America would look like if we had, instead, pumped all those Trillions and trillions of dollars for roads and instead.....built rails?

You want to end subsidies for cars? Simply way to do that----sell all the asphalt roads in America to private interests. I don't think you'll like what that does to our country, but I'll try anything once!

And what good is infrastructure if Biden is going to basically fire a whole lot of truckers with his vax mandate? You think store shelves are bare now, just wait.

They're bare now because people all over the globe are getting Covid, and missing work, Get it to X. And it's not a vaxx mandate...it's a vaccinate OR test and mask mandate. Not the same thing.

I'm against a vaxx mandate.

Don't knock rails. Have you ever seen how may containers are in the consist of a double stacked freight train. Between 200-300. If you see them with multiple locomotives, sometimes in the middle or end, only the lead engine has a crew. The others are computer controlled and called Distributed Power Units. Saves CSX, UP, BNSF et al labor cost they can put to their private bottom line profit. The only unprofitable rail is run by Uncle Sugar.

[a fan]

Actually the most basic function of government is to protect us from invasion. Infrastructure was a state (or private) function until the interstate system began.

Right. And why did Eisenhower pass that intial bill? Military mobility, remember?

This current bill is a mish mash of crap we have no business doing, like EV charging stations. Did the federal gov build your local Exxon station. How many EV's would be sold without a tax credit?

You're forgetting that Americans CHOSE to subsidize gas-cars. Who pays for all those asphalt roads? The .gov. Why? Why aren't they all a network of private roads, owned and managed by private companies?

You're taking the largest handout in the history of our country, and taking it for granted. Picture what America would look like if we had, instead, pumped all those Trillions and trillions of dollars for roads and instead.....built rails?

You want to end subsidies for cars? Simply way to do that----sell all the asphalt roads in America to private interests. I don't think you'll like what that does to our country, but I'll try anything once!

And what good is infrastructure if Biden is going to basically fire a whole lot of truckers with his vax mandate? You think store shelves are bare now, just wait.

They're bare now because people all over the globe are getting Covid, and missing work, Get it to X. And it's not a vaxx mandate...it's a vaccinate OR test and mask mandate. Not the same thing.

I'm against a vaxx mandate.

Don't knock rails. Have you ever seen how may containers are in the consist of a double stacked freight train. Between 200-300. If you see them with multiple locomotives, sometimes in the middle or end, only the lead engine has a crew. The others are computer controlled and called Distributed Power Units. Saves CSX, UP, BNSF et al labor cost they can put to their private bottom line profit. The only unprofitable rail is run by Uncle Sugar.

I'm not knocking rails----just the opposite!

Again: what do you think America would have looked like had we spent all our Federal Highway Dollars on rails, instead of asphalt?

We CHOSE to subsidize gas cars.

[old salt]

Again: what do you think America would have looked like had we spent all our Federal Highway Dollars on rails, instead of asphalt?

Siberia

https://www.thetranssiberiantravelcompa ... e-options/

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-US-so- ... d-by-train