Man on three times the minimum wage says he can not afford to live: ‘The American Dream is dead’
- Nicholas Sumners went viral with his video explaining how much he earned
- His video got 11 million views and two million likes, and people agreed
An auto industry worker has claimed that the “American dream is dead” because he cannot afford to live on his salary, which he says is three times the federal minimum wage.
Nicholas Sumners went viral with his video explaining how much he earned and complaining about not being able to afford the necessities of life.
He claimed he earns three times the federal minimum wage at $7.25 per hour, meaning he earns an estimated $3,520 per month if he works 40 hours per week.
Even with his salary, he says he “can’t afford to live anywhere alone” and that it’s a “struggle for survival” right now.
He said, “The American dream is dead. It is done. Vanished and forgotten.’
Nicholas Sumners went viral with his video explaining how much he earned and complaining about not being able to afford the necessities of life
As he sat in his car, Sumners ranted about the cost of living in the US.
His video received more than 11 million views and more than two million likes.
In the clip, he asked viewers to explain to him in “chalk-eating terms” why rent and basic necessities were so expensive.
He said, ‘I don’t want to hear the statement ‘take yourself out of your shoes, work 90 hours a week [arguments]’, that’s not the goal guys. That should not be our norm.’
He blamed political parties who he claimed were “fooling people” and said he was “tired” of people being “complacent” by allowing this.
When his parents were his age, they both lived alone, despite earning “less than half” of his current salary.
He said: ‘I can’t afford to live anywhere alone.
“A one-bedroom apartment: $1,800. Two-bedroom apartment: $2,200. Who the hell can afford that?
He added: “It’s embarrassing to come out and say it’s a struggle for survival at the moment, but I know so many people are struggling.
“And don’t get me started on what my grandparents were doing. She [bought] a $3,000 house.”
Inflation rose to 3.5 percent in March as prices were pushed up by high housing and gas costs
In the clip, he asked viewers to explain to him in “chalk-eating terms” why rent and basic necessities were so expensive
In fifteen major American cities, where the cost of living is particularly high, an annual income of $100,000 is only enough to qualify as ‘lower middle class’
Sumner said he understood the impact of inflation and federal interventions, but asked, “Why are we allowing this?”
He also seemed to object to U.S. foreign aid, saying, “I’m clocking off my shift, I’m tired, I have to go home and I’m watching the news and I see another 60 goddamn billion to a country where no one is. can point out on a map.’
He concluded, “We’ve lost it, people, we’ve fucking lost it.
“The American dream is dead. It is done. Vanished and forgotten.’
Viewers agreed with him and flocked to the comments section to share their support and their own concerns.
Someone commented, “I literally don’t even want to be rich. I just want to be able to eat without worrying.’
Another added: “A large percentage of us have an unexpected expense due to homelessness. Far too many people don’t understand that reality.’