Food, fuel and taxes – can the Democrats actually make life cheaper?

Two business owners, half a country apart, want the same thing for different reasons.

In Texas, Kim Hanks, who owns Tillies, a hotel, restaurant and spa business near Austin, says rising grocery and fuel costs are forcing her to raise wages for her 300 staff.

"It's been such a moving target for us on affordability," she told the BBC World Service.

In Indiana, Danny Reynolds, who runs Stephenson's of Elkhart, a clothing and bridalwear store, simply wants Washington to get its act together.

"My hope is that we can just find some consistency, some working together," he said.

Democrats say they heard both messages.