There is no doubt that Americans face affordability issues. Capitalizing upon them, especially in blue states, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have been peddling their prescriptions for cure, which are comprehensive socialist “solutions.” These solutions require more government, more taxation, and unprecedented authoritarian force. Thus, more socialism and more autocracy are increasingly popular solutions in populous blue states. But before we consider the cure, we should first consider the disease the DSA seeks to remedy.

What are the main causes of affordability problems in America today? Looking solely at the CPI’s 21% inflation rate, with many wages increasing by about half that, this reduces the purchasing power of a month’s wages by at least 10%. But there was much more.