by: Ethan A. Huff
(NaturalNews) One of the primary issues being addressed during this 2012 political cycle involves the rising cost of gasoline, which has surged by more than 158 percent since 2002, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) figures, and with no end in sight. But did you know that many other major food and household items on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) have also risen by the same or even higher amounts during this time period?
1) Milk: A gallon of pasteurized, homogenized whole milk was priced around $2.75 back in 2002. But today, that same gallon of processed milk costs about $3.47, representing a 26 percent increase.
2) Bread: If you typically buy bread from the store, you are likely paying 39 percent more per loaf today than you were 10 years ago. An average loaf of bread today costs $1.41, up from $1.01 back in 2002.
3) Peanut butter: A 16-ounce jar of conventional peanut butter in 2002 would have cost you around $1.96. But today, that same jar would cost you somewhere around $2.75, representing a 40 percent increase.
4) Steak: That juicy steak you treat yourself to every once in a while is now 41 percent more expensive, as the average price per pound of steak has risen from $4.40 in 2002 to $6.22 in 2012.
5) Electricity: Unless you live off the grid, you have likely noticed your energy costs rise significantly over the past 10 years. In 2002, the average price per kilowatt/hour of electricity was $.091. Today, it is about $1.30, representing a 42 percent increase.
6) Apples: Eating that apple a day to keep the doctor away is also draining 43 percent more from your bank account. In 2002, the average price per pound of red, delicious apples was $0.94. Today, it is about $1.35.
7) Spaghetti/Macaroni: Pasta is still a relatively inexpensive food item. But its average price per pound has surged 44 percent since 2002, rising from $0.91 to about $1.32.
8) Orange juice: If you regularly drink orange juice every morning, you are now paying about 46 percent more than you were back in 2002, as the price per 16-ounce jug has risen from $1.84 to $2.69.
9) Turkey: Thanksgiving would not be the same without a turkey. But the gathering now costs about 56 percent more, as the price per pound of turkey has risen from $1.05 in 2002 to $1.65 in 2012.
10) Wine: A one-liter bottle of wine in 2002 cost about $6.23. But today, that same bottle costs about $10.03, representing a 60 percent increase.
11) Ground beef: It is great for making hamburgers, casseroles, and other hearty meals. But ground beef now costs 61 percent more than in 2002, having risen from an average price of $2.28 per pound in 2002 to $3.69 in 2012.
12) Eggs: In 2002, the average price for a dozen large, grade A eggs from the grocery store was $1.03. Today, the average price is $1.80, representing a 73 percent increase.