the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
Nov 13, 2023
Dollar Tree, one of the go-to locations that poor and working class people use to purchase everything from food and paper products to toothpaste and cleaning supplies, changed their prices in early 2022: What used to cost a dollar, became $1.25. That was a 25% increase!
Did people get a 25% increase in their pay, or general assistance, or Social Security or pension benefits (IF they have a pension) since that price increase occurred? Of course not!
According to information printed in a Counterpunch article, “Food and Housing Costs Still Shoot Through the Roof,” “… food stamp benefits are decreasing as inflation rises. Social Security has seen an eleven percent increase from 2020 to 2023, but average costs have risen at least 25% to 50% on most goods.”
And though some (meaning people who are not on fixed incomes, or don’t have to figure out how to feed their families) might argue “it’s only 25 cents,” 25 cents is still an increase of 25% when today, many people are trying to make ends meet. Because EVERYTHING ELSE HAS GONE UP IN PRICE, TOO.
Wages should be indexed to prices: when prices go up, wages and social assistance, and Social Security benefits, and pensions should, too. It only makes sense.