NYT Discovers Wage Rises as Americans Drown in Living Costs
The article highlights that workers are 'struggling with basic costs' even as the minimum wage inches up. It's a classic framing that ignores the systemic defunding of social safety nets and the relentless upward transfer of wealth. While Americans sweat over rent and groceries, the Biden administration greenlit a $14.5 billion military aid package to Israel in late 2023 via HR 815, much of it
paid for by US taxpayers. One might wonder if even a fraction of that sum could alleviate the 'struggles with basic costs' back home. These 'raises' only highlight decades of lost purchasing power. The federal minimum wage hasn't budged from $7.25 since 2009. Meanwhile, in that same period, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin (who benefit directly from military aid) have seen their stock
soar. The media, however, prefers to focus on local minimum wage fights rather than the national budget priorities that fund endless wars while Main Street collapses. How many minimum wage boosts does it take to afford basic healthcare or housing when billions are routinely diverted elsewhere?