Our high cost of living is a hidden tax that leaves lower income families struggling to make ends meet. They can’t afford to purchase a home so face ever increasing rents. It keeps them out of our best school districts where “Housing costs an average of 2.4 times as much … near a high-scoring public school than near a low-scoring public school.” It’s a health issue because a quarter of American families skip doctor visits for money reasons. They typically have longer commutes to work so our high fuel prices affect them more than others.
This hidden tax affects groups differently. Higher income families (over represented by Asians and whites) are able to save, invest and build their wealth in spite of the higher costs. Lower income families are forced to live paycheck to paycheck. California deserves leaders that understand the importance of economic freedom and its ability to protect and lift up the poor – a group that is over represented by Hispanics and African Americans.
Fact Check
A High Cost of Living is Structurally Racist
STRUCTURAL RACISM DEFINED: Laws, rules, or official policies in a society that result in and support a continued unfair advantage to some people and unfair or harmful treatment of others based on race.
MEDIAIN INCOME OF VARIOUS ETHNIC GROUPS:
| Ethnic Group | Income |
|---|---|
| Asian | $85,897 |
| White | $65,777 |
| Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | $64,865 |
| Hispanic | $51,404 |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | $48,370 |
| Black | $41,911 |
A HIGH COST OF LIVING OPPRESSES THE POOR: See “Economic Freedom & Our High Cost of Living” above. Policies that raise the cost of living have minimal impact on the wealthy but are stifling to lower income families.
A HIGH COST OF LIVING IS STRUCTURALLY RACIST: Its negative impact is more severe on low income families – a group over represented by Blacks and Hispanics.
A HIGH COST OF LIVING IS A HEALTH ISSUE: Our high general cost of living means low income families have less money to spend on health care. That, combined with high health care and health insurances costs is why “The Gap Between Rich And Poor Americans’ Health Is Widening.” SOURCE: National Public Radio
A HIGH COST OF LIVING IS AN EDUCATION ISSUE: “…housing costs an average of 2.4 times as much … near a high-scoring public school than near a low-scoring public school.” SOURCE: The Brookings Institute
