An increasing gap between employment statistics and real financial security is putting pressure on millions of Americans due to the rising inflation that has overtaken wage growth and decreased real purchasing power. The average hourly wage has increased by 3% according to the U.S. Labor Department but the cost of consumer goods increased by 3.7% causing 9 million Americans to work more jobs, and an additional 4.5 million people working in part-time positions despite not wanting to. With the increase in tariffs and other economic considerations, corporations are cutting costs on discretionary items, making it difficult for working class people and even teachers to pay their bills in the form of homes, medical care, and food purchases. The high cost of gas, $4.29 per gallon, added to the "low hire, low fire" job market, has made the rapidly increasing cost of living the number one issue for voters before mid-term elections.