Once upon a time, a dollar could buy you a movie ticket, popcorn, and a soda. Today, that same dollar might get you a side of ranch dressing if you’re lucky. Since the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, the dollar has lost over 96% of its value. That’s right—96%. This isn’t just some abstract figure; it’s a slow bleed that’s been draining our wallets for over a century.

Despite technology continuously making production more efficient, consumer goods keep getting more expensive. You’d think that with advancements driving down the cost of making things, prices would follow suit—but no.

Instead of enjoying cheaper goods, the public is left footing the bill for inflation, which quietly siphons off the benefits of efficiency and concentrates wealth upwards. This concentration of wealth is driven by a system that rewards capital over labor, financial engineering over production, and political influence over fair competition. We are left with a society where technological advancements and increased efficiency, which should benefit everyone, end up enriching the few at the expense of the many.