Is the Working Class Being Pushed to the Edge?

I cannot help but question: in an economy that boasts of growth and prosperity, why do the working class continue to struggle? The discussion I came across recently reaffirmed my belief that the system is rigged against us. The challenges faced by workers—ranging from job security and economic exploitation to political neglect—are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a larger, deliberate structure designed to keep the elite in power.  

We are constantly told that inflation is coming down and the economy is improving, but whose reality does that reflect? Prices of basic goods remain high, wages have failed to keep up, and the working class sees no relief. It frustrates me that politicians and corporate leaders continue to paint a rosy picture while millions struggle to pay their bills. This so-called economic recovery is merely a statistical illusion—one that does not translate into real improvements for working people.  

Job security is a thing of the past. More and more workers are forced into short-term contracts, gig work, and precarious employment with little to no benefits. I see this as nothing more than a strategy to strip workers of their rights. They push people into instability under the guise of "flexibility." But who really benefits from this arrangement? Certainly not the workers.  

Time and again, politicians promise to stand for the working class, yet once elected, they cater to the interests of the wealthy. We see policies that protect corporations, tax breaks for the rich, and cuts to public services that ordinary people rely on. I believe that the political system is not broken—it is functioning exactly as it was designed: to serve those in power while pacifying the masses with empty rhetoric.  

The mainstream media plays a critical role in maintaining the status quo. I cannot ignore how the media downplays workers' struggles while amplifying the concerns of corporations and the elite. When workers strike for fair pay, they are painted as selfish and disruptive. When billionaires hoard wealth, they are celebrated as "job creators." This manipulation keeps the working class divided, distracted, and discouraged from demanding real change.  

One of the greatest lies capitalism sells us is that individual effort alone determines success. We are told that if we work hard enough, we can climb the social ladder. But the reality is that systemic barriers prevent most working-class people from advancing. I see countless workers putting in long hours, sacrificing their health and personal lives, yet remaining stuck in the same cycle of economic hardship. Wealth is inherited, connections matter more than competence, and the elite ensure that the gates to real success remain closed for the majority.  

The constant pressure to survive in an exploitative system takes a heavy toll on mental health. Workers are exhausted, stressed, and increasingly disillusioned. The expectation to "hustle" endlessly without proper compensation is inhumane. What angers me most is that even mental health services, which should be a right, are inaccessible to many. How is it that in one of the wealthiest economic systems, people cannot afford therapy or take time off for their well-being?  

I see fear being used as a weapon against the working class. The fear of losing one’s job, of being replaced, of falling into poverty—these fears keep workers from demanding their rights. Employers and politicians use economic instability to their advantage, ensuring that workers remain too afraid to challenge the system. But history shows that fear only controls us as long as we allow it to.  

I strongly believe that real change can only come when the working class recognizes the power it holds. The system thrives on our division—whether by race, nationality, or political ideology. But at the core, our struggles are the same. We must move beyond individual survival and toward collective action. The elite fear a united working class, and for good reason.  

So where Do We Go from Here?  

The issues I have laid out are not theoretical—they are lived realities for millions. As the system continues to fail the working class, I must ask: how much longer will we accept these conditions? At what point do we say enough is enough?