14 Comments
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Dave Busiek's avatar

Nailed it again. The negative ads are aimed at people who don’t read enough to stay informed. Sadly, they work.

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Cheryl Tevis's avatar

Thanks, Dave! Yes, you’re absolutely correct.

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Kent Zimmerman's avatar

👍too bad we’ve lost the truth in political advertising!

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Cheryl Tevis's avatar

Yes, either exaggeration, or simplistic thinking, and yes, deliberately misleading!

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Ralph Rosenberg's avatar

Thanks Cheryl,

I was curious how ChatGBT would answer why food prices have gone up. I quoted the response below-I asked for an answer in less than 150 words. What is revealing is how several points raised by Cheryl never made it into the Chat answer.

"Food prices have risen due to multiple factors. Supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and increased transportation costs have all pushed prices higher. Additionally, global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and adverse weather conditions have disrupted production and distribution. Rising costs of inputs like fuel and fertilizer have also increased expenses for farmers, leading to higher consumer prices. Combined, these factors have created an environment of reduced supply and increased demand, driving food prices up globally."

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Cheryl Tevis's avatar

Thank you, Ralph. Very interesting, indeed! Avian influenza certainly is a glaring omission, along with any specific reference to drought in the Western U.S. It's very generic altogether, isn't it?

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Mary C. McCarthy's avatar

Some excellent rebuttal points when I listen to people complain about egg prices. Thank you

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Cheryl Tevis's avatar

Thank you! Good to know!

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Laura Sands's avatar

Cheryl

Thank you for this great explanation that unravels so many of the factors that really are responsible for food price increases.

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Cheryl Tevis's avatar

You’re welcome, Laura!

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Diana  Wright: Unholy Thoughts's avatar

Alas I fear that all too many of her constituents will believe her. Austin Frerick's book Barons should be required reading for all Iowans.

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Cheryl Tevis's avatar

Yes, excellent resource. Thanks!

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Kathi Zimpleman's avatar

Thank you, Cheryl. I learned a lot reading your column tonight. I am sending it on to my Iowa friends.

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Jim Sayers's avatar

“Clucks,” indeed. Thank you for this enlightening article!

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