Why Am I Still Broke? The Harsh Reality of Wage Inequality in America

The American Dream Is a Lie

I wake up every morning with the same thought running through my mind: Why am I still broke?

I’ve done everything right. I’ve worked hard, I’ve pursued my passions, and I’ve achieved what many dream of—I’m a best-selling author with books sold across the world. People read my words, find meaning in my writing, and yet, here I am, living paycheck to paycheck, barely scraping by on $540 a week after taxes at a corporate job that profits off my labor while keeping me underpaid and overworked.

How is this possible? How is it that in one of the wealthiest nations in the world, talented, hardworking people still struggle to survive? The answer lies in a system rigged to keep corporations rich and workers trapped in an endless cycle of financial servitude.

Corporate Greed Exposed: The Modern-Day Feudal System

Let’s be clear—corporate America is modern-day feudalism. The ruling elite sit at the top, hoarding wealth and power, while the rest of us toil endlessly for wages that haven’t kept up with inflation.

• The CEO-to-worker pay ratio has skyrocketed over the last 40 years. In 1965, CEOs made 20 times the average worker’s salary. Today? That number is over 400 times (Source: Economic Policy Institute, 2023).
• Workers are being forced to do more work for less pay, while corporate profits hit record highs every quarter.
• Billionaires are buying yachts the size of football fields, while millions of Americans wonder how they’re going to afford rent next month.

And yet, society gaslights us into believing that if we just worked harder, we’d be successful. That’s a lie.

The system is designed to keep you poor, exhausted, and dependent on jobs that barely cover your expenses.

Why Writers Can’t Make a Living (And What That Says About Our Economy)

I always believed that if I became a successful writer, I’d be financially secure. After all, books have changed the world for centuries. Writers fuel revolutions, shift perspectives, and document history.

And yet, most authors can’t even make a living.

• The median annual income for full-time writers is just $20,300. (Authors Guild, 2023)
• Publishing houses and Amazon take massive cuts, leaving writers with pennies on the dollar for their work.
• AI-generated content is flooding the market, devaluing real human creativity.

Think about it—we live in a world where TikTok influencers make millions for dancing on camera, but skilled authors, journalists, and artists struggle to pay rent.

What does that say about our society?

It says that capitalism doesn’t reward intelligence or creativity—it rewards exploitation.

Living Paycheck to Paycheck: The Reality for Most Americans

Even those with stable jobs aren’t safe. Most Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, with no savings, no financial security, and no way out.

• Over 60% of Americans report that they wouldn’t be able to cover a $500 emergency. (CNBC, 2023)
• Inflation is rising, but wages remain stagnant—meaning our money is worth less every year.
• Housing prices are out of control, making homeownership a pipe dream for millions.

Yet, we’re told to be grateful for having a job at all. We’re gaslit into thinking that struggling to survive is normal. It’s not.

Remote Work Surveillance: The Digital Slave Master

You’d think working remotely would give people more freedom, right? Wrong.

Corporations have turned remote work into a dystopian nightmare.

• Zoom meetings aren’t about collaboration—they’re about surveillance. They want to see our faces, watch our reactions, and ensure we are presentable, obedient workers.
• Keystroke tracking, screen monitoring, and productivity software are being used to watch employees like prisoners.
• “Work-life balance” is a lie. Companies expect workers to be available 24/7, blurring the line between personal and professional time.

Escaping the 9-to-5 Trap: Is It Even Possible?

So, what’s the solution? How do we break free from this soul-crushing cycle?

1. Stop believing in the system. The American Dream is a carefully curated lie designed to keep you complacent. Question everything.
2. Find alternative income streams. If you rely on one job for survival, you’re vulnerable. Find ways to monetize your skills outside the corporate machine.
3. Call out corporate greed. The more we expose this rigged system, the harder it is for the elites to keep us in the dark.
4. Reject unnecessary surveillance. If your company doesn’t trust you to work without watching your face on Zoom, they don’t deserve your labor.
5. Demand better wages. We should not be grateful for scraps while billionaires hoard trillions.

Final Thoughts: I Refuse to Stay Silent

Tomorrow, I’ll log into work. I’ll do what I have to do—for now. But I’m not stopping.

I am a best-selling author.
I am a creator.
I am not a corporate slave.

And if you’re reading this, neither are you.

We deserve better than this.

And one way or another, we will break free.

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Disclaimer

The content in this blog post is for informational and critical discussion purposes only. It reflects the personal opinions and experiences of the author and is intended to encourage dialogue about economic inequality, corporate control, and labor rights.

This post does not constitute financial, legal, or career advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research, consult professionals, and form their own conclusions.

Any references to corporations, historical events, or economic policies are based on publicly available information, research, and personal analysis. This blog does not make allegations of illegal activity nor seek to defame any individual, company, or entity.

The author reserves the right to express frustrations, challenge systemic issues, and advocate for economic fairness. If any inaccuracies are found, feedback and further discussion are welcomed.

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References & Further Reading:

1. Economic Policy Institute (2023): CEO Pay Has Grown 1,322% Since 1978
2. Authors Guild (2023): The Median Full-Time Author Makes Less Than Minimum Wage
3. CNBC (2023): 60% of Americans Can’t Cover a $500 Emergency Expense
4. Noam Chomsky’s “Manufacturing Consent” – How Corporate Media Shapes Our Reality
5. George Orwell’s “1984” – The Surveillance State in Action
6. Juvenal’s “Bread and Circuses” – The Roman Playbook for Controlling the Masses

If this resonates with you, share this. Let them know we see through the illusion.