Breaking the Corporate Stronghold: Why America Can’t Afford to-

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1/16/2025

Breaking the Corporate Stronghold: Why America Can’t Afford to Keep Bowing to Big Business

Have you ever wondered why your rent is sky-high, your paycheck barely covers the basics, and the price of eggs feels like you're buying a luxury item? In 2023, for example, rents in major cities rose by over 15% while wages increased by less than 5%, leaving millions of Americans struggling to keep up. It’s not just bad luck or inflation—it’s the result of a rigged system where massive corporations and private equity (PE) firms pull the strings while the rest of us are left to dangle.

The narrative is painfully familiar: big businesses cry “poverty” to justify tax cuts and corporate welfare, while raking in record-breaking profits . If they don’t get their way? They threaten to hike prices, lay off workers, or both. It’s a bully tactic, plain and simple. And guess who’s footing the bill? You, me, and every hardworking American trying to make an honest living.

A $7.25 Minimum Wage: The Joke No One’s Laughing At

Let’s talk about the federal minimum wage. Stuck at a measly $7.25 an hour since 2009, it’s a relic of a time when gas cost $2.00 a gallon and avocado toast wasn’t a meme. Meanwhile, the cost of living has skyrocketed. Rent in many cities is pushing $1,800 a month or more. Do the math: at $7.25/hour, working full-time barely scratches $1,200 a month after taxes. That doesn’t even cover housing, let alone food, healthcare, or a few moments of joy.

But here’s the kicker: it’s not small businesses fighting to keep wages low. Most small business owners know their employees’ value and try to pay them fairly. No, the real culprits are the mega-corporations and PE firms that exploit low wages to boost profits, all while lobbying for tax breaks that further pad their bottom lines.

The Corporate Temper Tantrum: “Give Us Tax Cuts or Else!”

When governments dare to suggest that these giants pay their fair share, the response is predictable: threats of price hikes, job cuts, and economic ruin. It’s like watching a toddler throw a tantrum—except this tantrum can cripple entire industries and squeeze families already struggling to make ends meet.

Take housing, for example. Institutional investors and PE firms are gobbling up homes like they’re playing Monopoly in real life, driving up rents and home prices to levels that push everyday Americans out of the market. In 2022 alone, institutional investors purchased nearly 25% of single-family homes in some metropolitan areas, creating an affordability crisis for working families. Then they turn around and claim their hands are tied when it comes to affordable housing—“Oh, if only taxes were lower!” Right.

The Real Cost of Corporate Greed

While corporations enjoy their tax breaks and shareholders toast their dividends, the rest of us pay the price:

- Higher Costs for Essentials : From healthcare to groceries, corporations use their monopoly power to set prices as high as they please.

- Stagnant Wages : With no pressure to compete or pay fairly, workers are stuck earning less while doing more.

- Public Subsidies : Many low-wage workers rely on government programs to make ends meet, effectively subsidizing these companies with taxpayer dollars.

Here’s the Truth They Don’t Want You to Know

Raising wages doesn’t destroy economies—it strengthens them. When workers earn more, they spend more. That’s more money flowing into local businesses, creating jobs, and building a thriving middle class. The only ones who lose out are the ones hoarding wealth at the top.

Breaking Free: A Vision for Economic Justice

It’s time to stop letting corporations and PE firms hold us hostage. Here’s how we fight back:

- Raise the Minimum Wage :

- A living wage of at least $25/hour is the baseline for dignity and economic mobility. Anything less is exploitation.

- Tax the Greedy, Not the Needy :

- Close corporate tax loopholes and implement windfall taxes on industries profiteering off essentials.

- Break Up Monopolies :

- Enforce antitrust laws to dismantle monopolies and restore competition in critical sectors like housing and healthcare.

- Support Small Businesses :

- Provide tax incentives and subsidies for small businesses that prioritize fair wages and local investment.

- Reallocate tax cuts from large corporations earning over $1 million after expenses to small businesses that commit to not selling to private equity. This empowers independent businesses to thrive and curbs PE exploitation.

- Hold Corporations Accountable :

- Mandate transparency in pricing and profit-sharing. If they raise prices unjustifiably, let the public see exactly where their money is going.

To the Corporations Threatening to Leave: Bye!

To the corporations warning us they’ll pack up and leave if they don’t get their way: bye! Pack up and go. Small businesses, with the right support, can fill the void you leave behind. They invest in communities, pay fair wages, and innovate without exploiting. By redirecting tax dollars to these businesses, we can create a sustainable, people-first economy. We don’t need your exploitation; we’re over it. We can use an Executive Order to bypass the foot you’ve placed on our necks with your control of economic sectors. For example, an Executive Order could redirect federal contracts and incentives away from monopolistic corporations and toward small businesses that commit to fair labor practices and community investment. This ensures the economy remains resilient while breaking your grip. We’ll redirect tax dollars to small businesses to take your place. We don’t need your exploitation; we’re over it. These Corporations pose a National Security Threat when they threatening US.

"We have billions to send out of this country, but we could use just a fraction of that to support small businesses eager to enter the import and export industries, while also empowering small businesses to replace the corrupt ones. By waiving tariffs for these businesses, we can strengthen our economy without the stronghold of private equity, bypassing you entirely. So, tell me, how exactly will this country fall apart without you?" - Vincent Cordova

A Call to Action

The power of corporations may feel insurmountable, but history shows that change comes when people demand it. It’s time to rewrite the rules of the game—not just for us, but for future generations. The stronghold of corporate greed can be broken, but it starts with refusing to accept their narrative and fighting for an economy that works for everyone.

So the next time a corporation blames higher taxes for a price hike, remember this: they’re not raising prices because they can’t afford it. They’re raising prices because they’re betting on our silence. Support small businesses that prioritize people over profits, and let’s build an economy that rewards fairness and innovation. They’re raising prices because they think you won’t fight back. Let’s prove them wrong.

Vincent Cordova