my landlord's labor? hasn't done shit in three years except slap on some paneling, lay down cheap carpet, and triple the rent on a couple 'newly remodeled' units. property taxes are down due to lower valuation on the property. utility bills (common areas, which are unheated) are stable, probably lower because of a perpetual vacancy and a couple tenants now being part-timers (less hot water use, lower gas bill for the building's hot water heater).
my rent went from just under 30% of my gross, to two-thirds of it--and that's with a modest raise mixed in there. it was stable for twenty years (3 building owners during that time) before this new landlord. utility bill is about the same--with reduced consumption on my part helping that, but i can't really go 'down' any more. cable (internet) is up. phone is up. groceries are at least double--and for less of it, as i hit the food pantry more frequently. it cost more than double for each trip to the laundry. the once or twice (at most) a week i get a little fast food or kwik trip is about the same--but that's only because i just get less (i stick to my modest budget for that regardless of how much it buys).
i have a couple of those power strips at the office. i'm always forgetting about that 'feature' and end up with stuff 'mysteriously' shutting-off or draining battery instead of charging.
compare to only 273% (and ~ six tenths) for the federal minimum wage since jan 1, 1978 (was $2.65, is $7.25). it would be ~ $39/hr if it increased at the same rate at CEO pay over that time frame.
that's pretty much it. until the entire process gets a major overhaul away from fptp, the democratic primaries is where you can be picky on your candidate choices. but at the general, you a) still have to show up, and b) have to support the democratic candidate even if they weren't your choice at the primary. because you know damn well that they are voting party-first, any missing or split democratic vote is essentially giving them one.
