Late Stage Capitalism
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Introduction to Socialism (external links)
Marxism-Leninism Study Guide: Basic Course
Marxism-Leninism Study Guide: Advanced Course
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In the mid 2000s I rented a 3br house with a garage and fenced yard for $825/mo. Fireplace. Large kitchen. Safe, walkable neighborhood in a highly desireable city.
I was making $20/hr, as was my partner. Students both. No problem affording this. No roommates required.
The average rent for similar in that same area is now $2800/mo. The standard pay for those making above minimum wage these days seems to be $20-24/hr across the board, 20 years later.
Per the inflation calculator, that pay should now be $30-34/hr. If the inflation calculator delivers accuracy on rent by inflation, that rent should be $1300/mo today.
What a different world it would be if that latter paragraph was reality.
For more clarity, $20/hr is $3200/mo. Minus $825 is $2375 after rent. $30/hr is $4800/mo. Minus $1300 is $3500 after rent.
Instead, we have $3200/mo as an average earning. -22%ish taxes for $2600 left over. Minus the same rent, leaving you at negative $200/mo in a rental that can support a family.
Why? Oligarchs and this corrupt as fuck government have siphoned off your earned money for themselves.