u/dominiond66

Yes, inflation due to Republican policies like trade tariffs and the choice of war in Iran is rising at disturbing levels. But still, the real inflation rate for the working class is actually much higher. There is no official stat that illustrates it.

An example is auto insurance. The average rate charged to consumers is rising but a hidden fact it’s rising much higher for those working-class drivers with problematic credit scores. I asked AI how much?

“Drivers with poor credit pay, on average, over 100% more—roughly$1,000 to over $2,500 more per year—for full-coverage auto insurance compared to those with excellent credit. This translates to a significantly higher monthly premium, sometimes more than doubling the cost, even with the same driving record”

At so many levels this is egregious/unfair. Why does a person have a poor credit score? Probably lost a job, a medical emergency, unexpected car repair …. etc. In these unfortunate scenarios life becomes stressful/overwhelming then amplified by raising your auto insurance rate despite a good driving record. This is unfair/immoral and should be illegal.

This is how people become poor and entrapped in poverty while the rich profit from your bad luck. Inflation is high but much higher for the working class. This is just one of hundreds of examples of economic injustice in America.

Justified inflation is direct evidence of why prices are rising. Clearly today's inflation is caused by terrible Republican policies like the erratic trade tariffs and now the poor choice of war in Iran.

Unjustifiable inflation is Corporate America raising prices above and beyond the escalating prices due to poor policy choices of the Republican administration. Yes, part of their higher prices is justified but they raise them further because they can. They did the same during the COVID shortages -- profiteering during an emergency. Note corporate America profits remain at record levels ... the stock market remains at record levels despite trade tariffs and the Iranian war.

Just a reminder. The inflation during the Biden Administration occurred because of COVID and the Russia/Ukraine war AND corporate profiteering!

Using a credit/debit card becomes an avenue for banks and merchants to make more money while consumers pay a higher price.

It’s called a “swipe fee” when you use your card. Merchants pay banks from 1.5% to 4.0% for this benefit of digital currency. Instead of cash, its convenient for retailers to accept cards. This process is a money machine for banks/credit card companies while consumers pay an inflated price. You might not even realize your paying a higher price. Many times, merchants will bake a certain percentage increase into their prices, so everyone pays. Others just charge customers who use it.

The bottom line, there are many points in transactions that burden consumers with higher prices. As always, businesses thrive by this unofficial digital currency, consumers don’t! Not only does the public pay a higher initial price; if they fail to pay the credit card bill within 24 days, they will be charged another fee -- up to a 28% interest rate! More harm for vulnerable consumers.

I am curious if Sound Transit ever considered exclusively operating their own E-bike/scooter system to better integrate with existing public transit. In essence they would be the only entity to utilize rentals in their geographical area. This integration would help solve the first/last mile issue among other benefits.

With exclusivity, they can become more dynamic in establishing a high quality/universal means of accommodating/maintaining and creating easy access to much more E-bikes/scooters that focuses on short trips without burdening the environment/streets with large single passenger vehicles.

Just a thought. Don’t know if this has been discussed. What do you think?

Last year corporate America generated $3.4 trillion in profits. RECORD level profits, record stock market and record level of executive pay. Then why are businesses raising the price of their products?

Yes, the Iranian war and the GOP tariff taxes have raised costs for businesses, but apparently in other parts of their business they are making lots of MONEY! There should be no reason to raise prices on consumers when they are drowning in excess profits!

STOP the price increases. Lower your prices; You will still make large profits but not at immoral levels! Will these greedy corporations do this? NOPE! And consumers will continue to suffer!

Rising gasoline prices puts your hard-earned money in the pockets of BIG oil.

The fossil fuel industry is getting a massive return on their “investment” with the Republican Party.

They donated hundreds of millions of dollars to Trump/Republican Party and now they are receiving a huge return of huge profits in so many ways.

The GOP war of choice in Iran was the start but don’t forget they got help from the GOP when they paid Green Energy companies $2 billion to terminate their green/offshore wind energy project. Less green energy means more demand for oil and more oil profits paid by consumers.

What makes this even more egregious is the fossil fuel industries thrives by burning toxic oil causing dire consequences via the climate change crisis. Erratic/extreme weather events, biblical flooding and extensive droughts throughout America and around the world. This means hundreds of billions of dollars in losses and a spike in property insurance for every American.

Time for a class action lawsuit against the oil industry for crimes against humanity AND an excess profit tax on their decadent levels of profits. They must start paying for the monumental damage they are causing!

The core reasons for inflation are terrible Republican policies like (trade tariffs, their war of choice with Iran and mass deportation of immigrants) and Corporate GREED! The fast-rising price of a basketball represents all of these elements.

Two years ago, I purchased a Wilson Evolution basketball for $59. Today my only choice was $100 for the same basketball. A price widespread throughout the internet or in physical stores. Its as if they colluded and agreed to fleece consumers at a set high price of $100. Where is the competition?

The Wilson Evolution basketball is very popular, and it appears its a victim of corporate “dynamic pricing” scheme. With high demand, they can easily raise the price for high profits. With so few competitors, they are free to adjust higher for a popular product. And they will use trade tariffs as an excuse, but the tariffs would not effect such a high price increase.

Corporate profits are at RECORD levels. Dick’s Sporting Goods is the last surviving sport retailer in the country. Big 5 sports where I purchase my last basketball (with a discount coupon) is in financial problems and was purchased last year by a Wall Street Private Equity fund --- which means store closures, cut employees and their wages and higher prices for their products (no more coupons).

This is the pattern of America and growing inflation. The pattern of horrific/erratic policy decisions of this Republican administration AND corporate GREED. Total corporate profits last year was a RECORD $3.4 trillion. They just raise prices without justification. My basketball purchase contributes to another RECORD profit year for Corporate America as they are drowning in excess cash with more GOP Tax cuts and deregulations by Republican policies!

This Republican Administration has been an epic disaster for the price of energy at the peril of working-class consumers. The evidence is overt and overwhelming

1. GOP choice of war in Iran has spiked gasoline prices at record levels. It will get worse!

2. Republicans continue their attack on Green Renewable Energy sources like sun and wind. Reduce the supply of any form of energy will increase the price to consumers.

3. GOP officials using taxpayer money have paid private companies $2 billion to terminate massive wind power energy projects. Reduced energy supply translates into higher electricity prices. Green energy is cost-effect means of supply a renewable source of energy. It makes NO financial or environmental reasons to terminate Green Energy.

4. The mantra of Republicans is deregulation. They hate regulations. This is why they are silent in regards to regulating the proliferation of HUGE data centers across America that is spiking the price of electricity for vulnerable working-class families. AI data centers demand HUGE amounts of electricity to operate. Construction of data centers in your community means higher electricity prices. Why should working class families subsidize large lucrative AI companies?

The working class can’t afford Republican Policies! Their policies are causing a spike in inflation in not just gasoline and electricity but other products and services that depend on these energy sources.

The current causes for inflation in America

1. Corporate profits squeezing consumers at record levels. Predatory pricing tactics via a wide spectrum of new technology.

2. Republican Trade tariffs. Adversely affecting the working class.

3. Republican choice of war in Iran. Reduces supply of oil spikes gasoline prices

4. Republican deregulations removes protection for consumers.

5. Mass deportation of immigrants. All levels of economy affected.

6. Republican budget policies (tax cuts for the rich) creating record level of Federal debt.

Clearly, Republican policies cause the lion share of inflation. In contrast, the inflation during the Biden Administration was caused mostly by the monumental effects of COVID on the economy and the Russia-Ukraine War.

Just look at the financial facts.

Last year Corporate America had RECORD Profits. Total of $3.4 Trillion!

So much profit, they did not know what to do with it, so they bought back their stock at RECORD levels. $1.2 Trillion last year!

Clearly, they got so much money from paying low wages/benefits to their workers AND raised prices (inflation) for consumers of their product.

That $1.2 Trillion in stock buybacks should be in the hands of working-class consumers in lower prices and workers with higher wages.

The working class works hard, long hours, multiple jobs and they don't have enough for the essentials of life while Corporate America are drowning in CASH $$$

Time for a massive change in our government. Vote NO for every Republican on the ballot. They are the party of the rich. The GOP gave the rich HUGE permanent tax cuts while giving the working class a pittance in "Temporary" tax cuts! Outrageous/immoral!