As per figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, during the second quarter of 2025, the US economy reached a GDP of $28.3 trillion, growing at an annual rate of 3.0%. Personal income rose by only 0.3% in June, making further monthly gains of $71.4 billion, while the personal saving rate was 4.5%, reflecting a fragile financial cushion for households.
But now, here’s the thing, capitalism was the great equalizer, right? Dream big, work hard, and maybe even get the life your grandparents would be bragging about at dinner. But now, it doesn’t feel like climbing a ladder; it feels nearly impossible. I’ll admit it, just last week, I purchased one bag of groceries that somehow cost more than a dinner for two at a good restaurant ten years ago.
Yes, capitalism has brought us Netflix, same-day shipping, and phones that can basically babysit our kids, but it has also left cracks so wide that entire communities are falling through. So, let’s take a stroll through the ways that modern-day capitalism is silently (and sometimes vocally) failing humanity, and perhaps laugh about it so we won’t cry.
Wages that don’t match the cost of living
It appears that every year, the cost of living increases, while paychecks crawl along at a snail’s pace. The wealthiest 1% saw their income grow by 160.3% between 1979 and 2019, while the wealthiest 0.1% increased their income by an astonishing 345.2%. At the same time, wages for the lowest 90% of workers rose by just 26% over the same period of 40 years, the Economic Policy Institute observes.
That leaves workers working longer shifts to just keep pace with what their parents managed on a single income. Rent, groceries, and medical bills consume earnings so quickly that saving is impossible. Capitalism promised opportunity, but today it appears more about survival.
Basic needs turned into luxuries
Items that should be recognized as necessities, such as water, shelter, and wholesome food, are often charged like luxuries. Grocery bills alone have soared, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting food prices rising by 23.6% between 2020 and 2024.
Organic produce? Forget it, unless you’re willing to pay double. Capitalism treats basic needs as markets to profit from, instead of rights that everyone should have. It’s no wonder people feel squeezed at every turn.
Housing turned into an investment game
Homes used to be about shelter, family, and stability, but now they’re consumed like casino lottery tickets by investors. Data shows that institutional investors purchased approximately 26% of America’s single-family homes alone in Q3 2022.
This has proven harder for working-class consumers to keep pace with, driving up costs and pushing many into long-term leasing. Homeownership, the core of the “American Dream,” is becoming infeasible for future generations. Housing isn’t supposed to be a matter of chance at the casino, but capitalism has brought it to that point.
Monopoly disguised as competition
We’re made to think that capitalism is pro-competition, but have you ever noticed how few sectors are dominated by a handful of giants? Airlines, technology, and supermarkets are all dominated by giant names that control the majority of the market.
That means higher prices, fewer choices, and less innovation. Real competition should be consumer-friendly, but monopolistic capitalism is only friendly to shareholders. The game is rigged before you even start playing.
Healthcare that feels more like a business deal
Getting sick in many capitalist countries isn’t just about recovery; it’s about survival financially, too. The U.S., for example, spends nearly 18% of its GDP on healthcare, per The Global Statistics. This is more than any other wealthy nation, yet it ranks low in outcomes such as life expectancy.
Prescription drugs are priced outrageously high, sometimes 10 times more here in the U.S. than they are abroad. And for so many households, it only takes one ER visit to keep them in debt for years. It’s hard to observe the “free market” in action when health is a luxury product.
Planned obsolescence everywhere you look
Do you ever realize how your phone randomly slows down just in time for the new model to come out? That’s not bad timing, something far more sinister. Businesses deliberately craft products with finite lifespans so they can vend more replacement ones.
This cycle drains wallets while also producing massive electronic waste. Capitalism gets the conveyor belt turning, but customers find themselves going in circles.
Student debt that chains young people
Education is supposed to open doors, but student loans close them before even graduates can start their adult lives. In the United States alone, outstanding student loan balances have risen to more than $1.8 trillion, weighing down some 42.5 million borrowers, the Motley Fool reports.
Most graduates take decades to pay off degrees that do not lead to stable employment. It’s not mere figures on a ledger sheet; student debt postpones homeownership, family formation, and even retirement savings. Capitalism has commodified knowledge, and it’s the students who are paying the price.
The obsession with endless growth
Here’s an odd notion: nothing in nature continues to grow without end, not trees, not animals, not galaxies. And yet capitalism is based on the assumption that economies must grow perpetually.
This mandate leads to overproduction, environmental degradation, and worker burnout. At some point, “more” is no longer greater but becomes self-destructive. Perhaps the system needs a pause button instead of an accelerator.
The rise of gig economy instability
At first, the gig economy was all about freedom, autonomy, flexibility, and independence. However, for some, it has become a cycle of unstable schedules, low pay, and no benefits.
Statistics show that nearly 38% of American workers are currently engaged in gig or freelance work, but most don’t have access to medical care or retirement savings. Capitalism celebrates innovation, but it generally leaves workers struggling to survive.
Corporate power overshadowing democracy
When corporations wielding enormous power have more influence than elected representatives, you know that something is amiss. Tech giants, for example, have more cash on hand than the GDP of some nations.
Their lobbying power can lead to legislation being passed in a way that prioritizes profits over people. It undermines the divide between business and government, leaving ordinary citizens with fewer opportunities to have their voices heard. Democracy is less democratic when votes are silenced by money.
Environmental damage as a side effect
Capitalism has blessed us with convenience, but at the expense of providing us with polluted rivers, shrinking forests, and plastic-coated oceans. Cheap production is achieved by taking shortcuts that harm the environment. UNEP estimates that 19 to 23 million metric tons of plastic waste enter water bodies annually, including rivers, oceans, and lakes.
That is equivalent to 2,000 trash trucks dumping plastic on our earth every day. Uncontrolled industrial growth and the use of fossil fuels are also contributing to climate change. If money comes first, then the world will go last.
Short-term profits over long-term good
And arguably the most significant failing is that capitalism punishes what may be good in the present at the expense of a better future. Companies are often focused on quarterly profits, sometimes at the expense of employee well-being, innovation, or planetary health.
This short-term mentality has led to a range of consequences, including economic downturns and the depletion of natural resources. The problem isn’t ambition; it’s lack of focus. And if leaders are only looking 3 months ahead, the future is in jeopardy.
The glorification of overwork
We’ve all heard the phrase “hustle culture.” Work longer, sleep less, grind harder—that’s the capitalist anthem. However, the truth is that burnout has become so common that the World Health Organization officially recognized it as an occupational phenomenon in 2019.
People often feel guilty about resting, as if self-care is a form of laziness. Capitalism’s worship of productivity usually robs us of balance, health, and joy.
The culture of consumerism
Capitalism is not just an economic system; it’s a culture that whispers to us gently, “You’ll be happier if you buy this.” Advertisers spend billions of dollars a year refining the art of making us think we can’t do without the newest.
But material possessions rarely bring long-term happiness. The buy-need-regret habit keeps us hooked, though. It’s like capitalism found the secret to manipulating human feelings and selling it to us.
Wealth inequality is on full display
It’s hard not to notice when a billionaire buys yet another superyacht while millions struggle to come up with rent money. The gap between the rich and the rest of us has grown immeasurably.
According to Statista, the wealthiest 1% now hold approximately 30% of the nation’s total wealth, while the top 50-90% collectively hold just 30.3%. Strikingly, the bottom 50% have just 2.5% of total wealth.
It’s not about envy, it’s about power, access, and opportunity concentrated in ever fewer hands. Capitalism was meant to be equitable, but now it resembles a rigged game.
Key takeaways
Economic insecurity is built into the system. Wages lag behind living costs; housing is treated as an investment game; student loan traps young people; and the gig economy leaves workers unstable and underpaid.
Corporate and financial power outweigh democracy and fairness. Monopolies dominate sectors, corporations dictate government policies, and inequality keeps opportunities in a few hands.
Profit comes before people and the planet. Healthcare, education, and essential needs are commodified, while environmental destruction, designed obsolescence, and higher consumer costs are the result of short-term gains.
Capitalism’s values warp culture and lifestyle. Overwork is glorified, industry generates infinite want, and society defines success through growth and productivity at the expense of long-term well-being, equilibrium, and sustainability.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the same things I always do, but my bill just keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hot dogs of indeterminate age and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a routine or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need.
Let’s look at six gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat.
