Why the cost increase?

I used the potato chip story just to point out how skewed everything has become these days....of course there were other brands for sale at all price points (I gave up potato chips for the most part about two years ago). I try to be the glass half-full kind of guy, but it's hard to be an optimist in the face of a poisoned political environment that pits 45% of the country against the other 55% over made-up or imagined grievances, while climate change is making it progressively more dangerous for everybody (but very few seem to take it seriously). I am not a member of the greatest generation, but am not far removed chronologically, having been born in the mid-20th century. I do believe that as a nation we will overcome most of the challenges facing us, IF we can manage to retain a civil, considerate, and moderate tone for dealing with our differences. Lacking that, we will continue to travel down the road that leads to real trouble. 

I can't stop eating BBQ flavored chips. 
Gave up sodas decades ago.
Gotta clean up my act.

2008-2009 and could be headed towards another bursting bubble in the next couple of years. Government fiscal policy plays a part, but Congress controls the purse strings and spending, not the President.

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Another great example of stealing and no repercussions. How many walked away from homes and owned 100 of thousands of dollars and not a single one had to pay back a nickel. Two years later walked up bought a bigger house with two more kids and three new car payments, too boot.

NO people don't remember. It only cost people that stayed in their homes. Not buy a home and spend every nickel of equity in a HOME on Harleys, Vacations, 100k weddings.. You name it, people spent it like they could always pay it back and NEVER did. 

4 bail out in my life. Not a soul held accountable, not a soul went to jail..

S and L, then the insurance companies, then the automotive companies, then the 2006-8 melt down. 

Everyone owing money just walked away.. Left the HONEST tax payers with the bill.. Plain and simple as that.. It's ok the STEAL. Don't you understand?

OPS Poor Martha Stewart. What a joke that was.. Why did they EVER do that to her? Same with General Flynn. Put that bunch in the penitentiary for what they did to General Flynn. EVERY ONE... Cowards..
That was malicious prosecution and a total abuse of power. Jail is way to good for that bunch.. I don't even know their names.. 

Regards