David HayesAug 29, 2023
Ika Makimaki

Quick reminder that we are not actually in a "Cost of Living Crisis".

It's a Extreme Inequality and Record Untaxed Profits Crisis.

While we struggle for the basics, banks, energy companies, supermarkets and the oligarchs are posting record breaking profits.

It would be pretty straight forward to even it out. If they wanted to.

Don't buy the framing that makes it seem like nothing can be done, other than suffering through it.

Aug 26, 2023 at 2:56amWeb
Show threadIka MakimakiAug 28, 2023
Effin' told you so. 😡
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/496752/business-profits-contributed-significantly-to-recent-rising-costs-study-finds
Business profits contributed significantly to recent rising costs, study finds

Businesses have been returning record profits while inflation surges during the cost of living crisis, new research shows.

RNZ
Show threadJeremyJupiterJones Aug 26, 2023
@pezmico @River If the people of #NewZealand really want the NZ government to tackle the #CostOfLivingCrisis we should first nationalise supermarkets and introduce rent controls. #NZPol #NZVotes2023 #FollowTheMoney #NZTwits
Show threadmikelygeeAug 26, 2023

@jeremy_pm

We could start by electing a government that 1) admits there's a crisis, 2) doesn't blame on wages being "too high", and 3) has ideas other than "lower taxes for the wealthiest".

I don't have high hopes for this happening.

@pezmico @River

Show threadJeremyJupiterJones Aug 26, 2023
@mikelygee @pezmico @River Firstly, NZ has two very real choices to make #NZVotes2023. Either a govt focused on austerity measures to finance tax relief to the wealthy elite of which many are currently paying a lower rate of tax than minimum wage workers. Or a left wing bloc that will at the very least maintain investment in public services. The beauty of #MMP is you can add flavour to that bloc by voting #Greens or #TPM to provide a stronger mandate for progressive #NZPol #ClimateChange action.
Show threadMe & CoffeeAug 26, 2023
@pezmico if we solved one aspect of our failing economic system it could solve a lot of problems - housing.
People here spend way too much money on all versions of housing. If we brought down that cost, people will have more money for other necessities will have less stress in their life.
This is not to say that we shouldn't tackle all the other issues.
Show threadJames H McLarenAug 26, 2023
@pezmico Before the rise of labour unions and FDR’s New Deal in the US, the vast majority lived a hand-to-mouth existence while the wealthy were completely removed from any need. If trends continue we’ll wind up back there.
Show threadStefan MonnierAug 28, 2023
@JamesHMcLaren @pezmico Was inequality really worse then than now?
Show threadJames H McLarenAug 29, 2023
@monnier @pezmico That’s a good question. I think economically the difference is about the same, it’s just the scale has changed. Low income people are often better off than they were in say 1860, but the wealthy are vastly more wealthy now than then.
Show threadMaggie MaybeAug 26, 2023
@pezmico I have been enjoying pointing out to these companies, when they try to justify the price increase, that they really don’t need the money if they’re spending $1000 every single month for a gold checkmark on Twitter. I don’t want to supplement their Twitter fees.
Show threadkurtshAug 26, 2023

@pezmico While this seems to pass the smell test & certainly 'feels' accurate, are there studies to back this up or any research that you might be able to point to?

This is messaging that could be valuable in bringing to the top of a broader educated, social discussion.

Show threadIka MakimakiAug 28, 2023
@kurtsh https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/496752/business-profits-contributed-significantly-to-recent-rising-costs-study-finds
Business profits contributed significantly to recent rising costs, study finds

Businesses have been returning record profits while inflation surges during the cost of living crisis, new research shows.

RNZ
Show threadMaximilian Overdraft, Esq.Aug 26, 2023

@pezmico

It's time we negotiated everything. Refuse to pay unless prices are reduced. Stop honoring their pricing structure.

Show threadChris "Mickey" McredAug 27, 2023
@pezmico My favorite one of these was a spokesperson from starbucks defending the rise in tipping % minimums to justify that it's all of us "doing out part", and I'm for tipping, but making a minimum tip 20% so someone else can make a livable wage, while the company refuses to pay them a livable wage, just sets a fight of customers against employees, thus creating a false scarcity worse, and making enemies of the parties that should be banning together and ignore the true enemies in the fight, they are using what they can to keep us infighting as people while they record these record profits, and put the blame away from themselves. Don't fall for any propaganda that the reason for all these problems being on the customer side or the lack of employees willing to work, it's the companies trying to pay out as little as possible at the end of the day.
Show threadThe Richie RichAug 28, 2023
@pezmico @Crispius
Show threadSpicewallaAug 28, 2023

@pezmico

Its elite looting — the plutes are looting from the people.

Show threadtnypxlAug 28, 2023
@pezmico @mauve It’s pretty clear most economic disparities are engineered and arbitrary.
Show threadJefAug 28, 2023
@pezmico
no one likes to say wealth disparity is a class war, but it is. once we can turn the armed forces against the billionaires, the revolution will be a walk in the park, but until then, be the annoying ringing sound in the billionaires ears…vive la resistance!
Show threadRussell 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦🍉Aug 30, 2023
@pezmico I couldn't agree more, but apparently we seem powerless!