[antisthenes]

> The cost of living is out of control and nobody wants to acknowledge that should reflect rising salaries.

Alternatively, we could look into reducing cost of living. US is dealing with a legacy system in the form of suburban sprawl that makes housing far more expensive than it has to be because the demand by the biggest generation far outstrips supply (simply due to area constraints and ridiculous zoning policies).

A small dilapidated house built in the 1950s with lead paint and asbestos should not cost $400,000.

Unfortunately, that is politically untenable right out of the gate.