Fundamental Transformation

In 2008, then candidate Barak Obama repeatedly and relentlessly told us that he wanted to fundamentally transform the United States. Conspicuously absent from his remarks, or the questions of the media were: A transformation into what?
Let’s look at the transformation thus far. Wealth redistribution:
Cost of food – According to Bureau of Labor Statistics report in May 2014, “The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs has risen 7.7 percent over the span (last year),” states the BLS. “The index for food at home increased 0.7 percent, its largest increase since July 2011. Five of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in May. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 1.4 percent in May after a 1.5 increase in April, with virtually all its major components increasing.”
However, those receiving food stamps feel this significantly less. Result: Transfer wealth, move the money from people who pay their way and subsidize those that don’t with money taken from those that do.
Cost of fuel: In the first quarter of 2009, the average price across the U.S. for a gallon of regular fuel was $1.86. It has averaged well over $3 per gallon since the middle of 2010 and is currently over $3.60 nationally.
Home energy prices: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics fuel oil has risen 5.3 percent and electricity up 4.4 percent in the prior 12 months ending May 2014.
Unemployment: In May 2008 unemployment was measured at 5.5 percent, in May of 2014 that number is listed at 5.4 percent, however, this is only a partial measure. The workforce participation rate (the number of all people in the U.S. working has dropped from 66.1 percent in May 2008 to 62.8 percent in May 2014.
Furthermore 9.5 percent of those employees are employed part-time and looking for full-time work and 16.4 percent of all employed classify themselves as underemployed. (Source Bureau of Labor Statistics and Gallup).
U.S. dollar: Money’s value is in decline. $20 in 2008 requires $ 22.10 a 10.5 percent change.
Home values: According to Standard and Poor’s, an average home in a major U.S. city is worth 1 percent less today than it was in May 2008.
Food Stamp (SNAP) participation: The average number of people per month participating in the food stamp program in 2009 was 33,489,975 compared to 47,636,090 in 2013.
Welfare participation: According to the Washington Times welfare spending as measured by obligations stood at $563 billion in fiscal year 2008, but reached $746 billion in fiscal year 2011, a jump of 32 percent.
Wildwood Crest