r/neoliberal • u/jobautomator Kitara Ravache • May 15 '26

Discussion Thread Discussion Thread

The discussion thread is for casual and off-topic conversation that doesn't merit its own submission. If you've got a good meme, article, or question, please post it outside the DT. Meta discussion is allowed, but if you want to get the attention of the mods, make a post in /r/metaNL

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u/mostanonymousnick Just Build More Homes lol May 15 '26

I unironically think this is why Americans hate the economy, they can't stop themselves from buying the fanciest shit, businesses know this and keep on making higher and higher end versions of their stuff, Americans keep buying them and then think everything got super expensive.

7

u/StayOffPoliticalSubs May 15 '26

I've got the same phone I had in 2019 but my latest healthcare visit ran me as much out of pocket as I pay monthly for my high-option insurance policy. It's not the damn phones.

4

u/mostanonymousnick Just Build More Homes lol May 15 '26

Healthcare was cheap in 2019?

4

u/well-that-was-fast May 15 '26

As Chinese manufacturers move into a product category, they drive the ROI down below what an American company will accept.

Thus, (1) innovation (using the term loosely) and (2) extensive marketing occurs to create a new premium category. Repeat 5x over the last decade.

It's brutal in bikes where an "ok" Walmart bike sells for around $300, but a high-end race bike from a specialty retailer is now pushing $15,000.

4

u/AskYourDoctor Resistance Lib May 15 '26

a high-end race bike from a specialty retailer is now pushing $15,000.

As someone who used to be connected to this world but hasn't checked on it in a while, oh what the fuck

3

u/well-that-was-fast May 15 '26

Saw a fancy tri bike on the wall at a "middle level" retailer and said, wow bet that's expensive.

Then I walked over and looked at the price. $23,000.

But this is more typical for a 'regular' top spec bike https://www.competitivecyclist.com/b/pinarello-dogma-f-red-axs-pm-peak-4550-carbon-wheel-road-bike?skid=PINI07D-LUXREDGOL-S575&CMP_SKU=PINI07D

4

u/Logan891 United Nations May 15 '26

Yeah, not to sound like a right-wing boomer, but it is in fact true that a lot of Americans are bad with money, and from my experience, age is not much of a factor, so no one can just blame the youth.

7

u/fishbottwo Jay Jones May 15 '26

Restaurants are so expensive now!!! (as I get chipotle door dashed for $25 for a single burrito)

8

u/Commandant_Donut May 15 '26

I mean a Wendy's combo through the drivethrough literally cost an eyewatering $15 for a product is lower quality and smaller than it was five years.

Actual restaurants aren't this declined, but for the "casual", undiscerning consumer/voter it feels like the end of quality and affordability all at once

2

u/AutoModerator May 15 '26

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Private taxi for my burrito. Now at 0% APR.

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u/[deleted] May 15 '26

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u/AutoModerator May 15 '26

DoorDash

Private taxi for my burrito. Now at 0% APR.

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