Part 2/10:
New York City is currently facing a perfect storm of issues: skyrocketing living costs, inequality, and a loss of trust in political leaders. Median rent in Manhattan has surged to around $4,700 per month, making affordable housing a distant dream for many residents. At the same time, wage disparities continue to widen—higher-wage workers see wages grow at triple the rate of low-wage earners. Voters are frustrated with this disparity, witnessing a city plagued by political scandals, indictments, and scandals involving prominent leaders such as Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo. These failures have fostered a sense of distrust and resentment among ordinary citizens.