States of Decay in the Land of Opportunity

The $7.25 State of Decay! Let’s talk about the unspoken divide between the nearby major city of New York—land of overpriced everything, and Pennsylvania, where the minimum wage has been flatlined at $7.25 since 2009. That’s two thousand and nine, for the record. Obama was fresh in office. The Black Eyed Peas were topping charts and Instagram didn’t even exist yet. And yet somehow, in the year 2025, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is still slinging the same poverty-tier paycheck like it's doing you a favor. $7.25?! Ironically, that was New Yorks minimum wage as well— back in 2009!

Fifteen years. Zero movement. Zilch. Nada. No cost-of-living adjustments. No inflation cushion. Not even a symbolic gesture of “hey, we see you struggling.” While gas prices doubled, rent skyrocketed, and a dozen other states pushed their wages into the teens or tied them to inflation, PA just shrugged and said, “Y’all’ll be alright.”

Meanwhile, in boroughs like Brooklyn, things aren’t cheap—but at least the paychecks try to keep up. The city kept raising its minimum wage to until they settled on $15 an hour in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. Even baristas and retail workers in NYC are out-earning full-time warehouse workers in Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Erie. And don’t come at me with “but cost of living!” because the math still math’s—you’re better off scraping by in Brooklyn with $15/hr than trying to stretch $7.25 across rural Pennsylvania where even Dollar General ain’t cheap anymore.

And if anyone buys that Pennsylvania's status as a commonwealth has anything to do with this BS, I got a bridge to sell ya.

By definition, (according to Wikipedia) the "commonwealth" appellation is merely stylistic and carries no legal or political significance, it thus does not make "commonwealth" states any different from other U.S. states. Also, to further disprove that whole notion, one is urged to consider Massachusetts and Virginia's hourly wage for its citizens as they, too, are commonwealth states yet with significantly higher hourly wages. So, there's that and then some.

Let’s talk politics, because this wage freeze didn’t just happen—it was maintained. Repeatedly and intentionally. Republican lawmakers in Harrisburg have blocked every single attempt to raise the state minimum wage for over a decade. Governor after governor has begged for an increase—Wolf tried; Shapiro pitched it—but the GOP-controlled legislature straight-up ghosted the working class. Just last year, a bill proposing a modest bump to $11/hour got shot down in committee like someone was playing Duck Hunt.

I lived in Brooklyn (for over 30 years). I’ve seen what survival looks like with some actual lifelines. You hustle, yeah, but at least the system throws you a bone. But Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania expects you to survive off hope and Wawa coffee. There’s no national outcry. No flares in the sky. Zero energy. I don't get you people. You all are so quick to block traffic and riot for the wrong reasons yet, where it matters, not only are y'all mute, you guys are complicit. But, no matter, right? It’s not a trending topic and that's how it goes. Pennsylvania isn't a political priority. It's not tragic enough for any headlines, and it's not an election year.

So, what happens? People adapt, reluctantly. Or worse—accept it. They hold down two, three jobs. Some even drive 30 minutes across the border into Ohio or Maryland just to make an extra buck. Some pack up and head to cities like New York where the rent will eat you alive, but at least your labor isn’t treated like a bad joke from 2009.

This isn’t just a tale of two places. It’s a tale of attention and neglect. One place pushes forward. The other gets pushed aside. And if you ask the powers that be in PA, everything’s fine. Business as usual. But for the people living it? It’s fifteen years of being told: “You don’t matter enough to earn more than this.” It’s a difference in momentum; in whether or not the people in charge think their citizens are worth investing in. And right now, Pennsylvania looks like it’s still waiting for someone to notice it’s drowning. That’s not just a wage gap—it’s a matter of respect. Frankly, Pennsylvania and NINETEEN other states ought to be ashamed!

In October 1682, William Penn—yeah, the younger one—hauled 360 settlers across the Atlantic to start something better. These people weren’t just chasing land; they were chasing religious freedom and fair government. You know, the kind of lofty ideals we still pretend to care about. This was the birth of Pennsylvania, the 12th English colony—built on the promise that people could actually live decent lives without being crushed under some corrupt boot.

And guess what? In the beginning, it actually worked. Inflation was low, and folks could live well without bleeding money. The colony attracted new settlers because it wasn't trying to squeeze every last coin out of their pockets. It was a place where people could breathe—literally and economically.

And let’s not forget the insane number of firsts that happened there. Gettysburg, where a turning point in American history was fought. Hershey, the sweetest damn place in the country. The first freaking zoo, the first library, the first computer, and the first American flag—sewn by Betsy Ross herself. And lest we forget, the state was the fourth largest coal producer in the U.S. virtually all of the country's anthracite coal came from Pennsylvania This place should be a national treasure trove of pride and innovation.

But here’s where it gets insulting. With all that rich history, all that value Pennsylvania has given this country, where’s the damn gratitude? Instead of being compensated or at least protected, residents are stuck living with the perpetual threat of disasters like Canadensis and the long shadow of Three Mile Island. A nuclear nightmare + toxic exposure = a prolonged disastrous effect which remains covered up with deafening silence; brought to you by your local legislatures. To add insult to injury, no stipend, no yearly compensation, not even basic acknowledgment. Just silence and corporate handshakes while regular people live under a constant cloud. It’s a messy betrayal of our founding fathers' vision.

By: Rob Tornoe, Courtesy of: Philadelphia Times

While I firmly believe in women being independent and taking charge of their own lives, I also understand that life can throw situations at us that are completely out of our control.

For those times, USA.gov offers a directory of federal programs and benefits that you just may qualify for. Just be aware—our lovely government will demand endless documentation and proof of hardship before even thinking about giving you a hand. This applies to many single mothers and independent women alike.

At that point, some may find themselves facing a tough choice: jump through the bureaucratic hoops or swallow their pride and look into the adult industry, which—let’s be honest—can be far more profitable and less invasive than dealing with government red tape.

There are options, if you're willing to step outside the norm. Truck driving, military service, and trade work like mechanics are also options, but they often come with serious risks—either to your safety or your ability to be present with your children. In the end, it comes down to your drive and your actual capacity to make those moves.

Nobody wants to end up homeless and curled up on a sidewalk. So consider what’s out there and choose based on all that you can handle—not what's easiest.

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