WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer confidence declined slightly this month as gas prices stayed high and inflation remained elevated, a sharp contrast to soaring stock prices hover near record levels.

The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index slipped 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, the first decline after three months of gains. The measure hasn’t fallen as much this year as other gauges of consumer attitudes, but it has been stuck at a low level since the pandemic. Before COVID-19, it regularly reached 130.

A separate gauge of consumer sentiment released last week by the University of Michigan fell to a record low this month. Soaring gas and food costs have worsened inflation that is outpacing the average growth in paychecks, reducing most Americans’ purchasing power. Americans have soured on President Trump’s economic policies, polls show, potentially creating problems for Republicans heading into the midterm elections.

      • Marshezezz@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        7 days ago

        Burning is still risky without more people on the cause but I suppose sabotage is still very viable even with smaller groups of people. I’ve been mulling over things like getting a job at places that are actively helping this administration to fuck things up and slow shit down for them under the guise of being an idiot who can’t do anything right or preferably totally incognito

    • OwOarchist@pawb.social
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      7 days ago

      Last time I was at the grocery store, I casually unscrewed their credit card reader display from the register while nobody was paying attention.

      It’s the little things that really warm my heart.

      • optimisticturtle@lemmy.world
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        7 days ago

        If one were to do this in Minecraft, one should be aware that there may be ALPRs in the parking lot often capable of facial recognition, overt and covert in store cameras capable of facial recognition and bluetooth trackers to pinpoint peoples’ exact location as they move through the store.

        • Rekorse@sh.itjust.works
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          7 days ago

          Ain’t nobody going through any of that trouble for a loose screw. They will barely do it for tens of thousands of dollars in theft.

          • OwOarchist@pawb.social
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            7 days ago

            Ain’t nobody going through any of that trouble for a loose screw.

            Yep. They’ll assume it came loose on its own, maybe through vibrations over time or something.

            And, hopefully, they’ll bring in a highly paid repairman to come fix the problem.