Midterms 2022: in Texas, faced with inflation, "the American middle class is sinking into precariousness"

On the eve of the midterm elections, the economy is the main concern of Americans. Meeting with residents of Austin affected by the rising cost of living.

"Thank you for everything you do! You have such a big heart, you can't imagine how much you help me!" Sitting at the wheel of her pick-up, window down, Elena showers compliments on the Food Bank employee who has just taken her contact information. Behind the two women, a long line of cars stretches in a parking lot in southern Austin, the capital of Texas (United States). There are dozens of drivers, on this day at the end of October, waiting for the volunteers of this "drive" to load boxes filled with canned food and vegetables into their trunk.

"We're sure to have a steady stream of cars throughout the distribution ," said Paul Gaither, communications manager for the Central Texas Food Bank, standing between two pallets of vegetables.  Between April and September, the organization saw the number of requests for help increase by 11% compared to the previous six months. An increase that she attributes to inflation, which reached 8.2% over one year in September in the United States, according to  NBC *. A level not seen for 40 years.

In this context, no wonder the economy has become the number one concern of Americans ahead of the midterm elections (ADD PEDAGO LINK) , according to  a series of polls from the Gallup Institute *. For Republicans, soaring prices are also an opportunity to attack Joe Biden's record and try to regain control of Congress from Democrats on Tuesday, November 8.

Heal or eat?

In Texas, a state traditionally won over to the conservatives, some voters are nevertheless less categorical about the politicians responsible for this economic crisis. "I would like our elected officials to work to improve the situation, but most of them don't care what happens to people like me ," sweeps Luis, a 59-year-old cook who came to the distribution. "We will continue to suffer regardless of the party in power ," opines Russell, a 76-year-old retiree who waits a little further in the parking lot.  

Like the other inhabitants of Austin met by franceinfo, this former soldier is more concerned by the state of his bank account than by the upcoming election. "Many Texans face terrible choices every day: pay their medical bills, their bills, or their food," says Paul Gaither of the Food Bank.

This is the case of Nicky, who accompanies her sister to a distribution for the first time. In recent months, the rent of this employee of a supermarket chain has increased by "200 dollars" , her bills by "100 dollars" . “Wages, them, do not move” , complains the thirty-something. “The money I save with this food aid will allow me to buy toilet paper or shampoo, or pay for gas to go to work , she rejoices.  For the moment, we still manage to do everything pay, by organizing well."