Shoppers decry 'skyrocketing' inflation: 'It's outrageous'
Some Maryland shoppers blame Biden, Democrats for rising inflation
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Prices are "skyrocketing" and consumers are paying "an increase on everything," Maryland shoppers told Fox News after inflation reached a 40-year high.
The consumer price index rose 7% in December compared to a year ago, the highest it's been since June 1982, according to a new Department of Labor report released Wednesday.
"It's outrageous," one shopper, John, told Fox News. "I don't know how some people are out here living."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Another shopper, Delmar, said: "Anything that you use daily, it's skyrocketing."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Another person, Rick, said he looks "at the man in charge" when considering factors that have contributed to rising inflation.
Robert, another shopper, told Fox News: "Blame it on the Democrats. Trump was in office and everything was great.
"Biden's in office and everything goes to s---," he continued.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Almost empty produce shelves at a Giant grocery store.
Another shopper, Paul, also blamed politics.
""We have the wrong people in office," he told Fox News. "They have a different agenda that's really not for the average person's benefit."
The producer price index, which measures inflation at the wholesale level, surged 9.7% in December over the same period from a year prior – the highest increase ever recorded, according to the Labor Department.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Shoppers said the price increases go beyond just gas and groceries.
Stacie speaks with Fox News about her experience dealing with inflation.
"Where I normally go to eat out it's costing more too," said Stacie, "If I go up to Hip Hop Chicken to get a 10-piece, was $12, and now it's $15."
INFLATION SURGES 7% IN DECEMBER, HIGHEST RATE IN 40 YEARS
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A mother leaving Target with her son told Fox News: "It's a little bit of an increase on everything. It's just like 20-30 dollars more in my total cost."
Some shoppers blamed inflation on overspending for stimulus checks. Others blamed inflation increases on COVID-19.
"Everything else is being blamed on the pandemic, so I guess that's the reason," Trya told Fox News after exiting a Target.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}John unloads his grocery cart after shopping.
John, who said he worked in transportation for 30 years, defended the trucking industry.
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"I'm the one that usually brings the groceries to you," he said. "And it's not us."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Something's not right somewhere else," he added. "We're as busy as we've always been."
One shopper, Paul, said: "I don't see inflation coming down any time soon. We're going to have to deal with it for a while, unfortunately."