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mostlysignssomeportents · 3 months ago

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Everyday homeowners are human shields for Wall Street’s Internet of Shit slumlords

The American Dream, such as it is, used to be two dreams, one based on work and solidarity, the other on asset appreciation and disconnected individualism. We killed the first one.

As the New Deal gave way to the post-war social safety net, Americans discovered two paths to social mobility: they could join a union, and they could buy a home. Joining a union meant that your wages would rise with productivity, and that the democratic ideal that you were meant to approach once every two years at the ballot-box could follow you into the building you spent more waking hours in than any other: your jobsite.

Labor unions used their political power to win labor rights, so that even workers who weren't a union couldn't be arbitrarily fired, or maimed on the job with impunity, or harassed or abused. And while the labor movement was mired in the same racist legacy that every American institution brought forward out of genocide and slavery, where racialized people started unions of their own or demanded representation from the unions who nominally represented them, they thrived.

Then there were houses. On the one hand, owning your home insulated you from the petty tyranny of the landlord, the threat of eviction, rent hikes, indifferent or dangerous building maintenance, and all the other miseries that arise when you think of a building as your home and someone else thinks of it as an asset, and the board is tilted so that they win every argument.

But homeownership wasn't just sold as a way to get out from under scumbag landlords: it was primarily sold as a way to build intergenerational wealth. Your house wasn't just a place to live: it was an asset, and it appreciated.

And if the dividends of labor protection were unevenly distributed between white people and racial minorities, the dividends of home ownership were almost entirely hoarded by white families. Federal policies – redlining – combined with racist lending at the local level, meant that Black families and other racialized groups were stuck in tenancy, while white families build wealth thanks to federal subsidies:

https://web.archive.org/web/20170220005558/https://www.demos.org/sites/default/files/publications/Asset%20Value%20of%20Whiteness.pdf

Those were the two American dreams: a good job and your own home. We killed the first one, and the second one devoured us whole.

Without a strong labor movement, wages stagnated. Corporate power waxed, and with it, the power to pollute, to poison, to maim and to defraud. The labor movement wasn't strong enough to stop Reagan from killing free UC tuition when he was governor of California. It wasn't strong enough to hold back spiraling health care prices. It wasn't strong enough to block the business lobby from neutering antitrust and ushering in four decades of market concentration, market capture and corruption. Workers couldn't save their defined benefits pension and were railroaded into market-based 401(k)s, forcing them to play the stock casino against their bosses, ever the sucker at the poker table.

With stagnant wages and out of control medical, educational and end-of-life bills, homeownership – the thing you do as an individual, where your gain is someone else's loss – became the American secular religion. Your house wasn't just a place to sleep and keep your photo albums: if it appreciated enough, you might be able to liquidate it on your deathbed and pay off your eldercare, your healthcare, your kids' college debt, and leave enough left over for your kids' downpayments.

And so every American who had a home became the enemy of every American who didn't – including one another's children. Every home built threatened your own property values. The racist, batshit American school funding formula, which sees schools funded out of property taxes, meaning the richest kids get the best schools, turned out to be a great way to increase your property values.

Protections for tenants, meanwhile, threatened the entire American way of life – the American dream itself. Every protection a tenant got – protection from eviction or rent hikes, the legal right to a safe and well-maintained home – reduced the value of every home in town.

After all, the better a landlord has to treat their tenants, the less money a landlord can make from a rental property. The less money a landlord can make from a rental property, the less they'd bid on a house like yours if it went up for sale.

And since anyone planning to buy your house to live in it has to outbid a landlord who might want to rent it out, giving tenants any protection threatened everything – the one asset you owned, which was your plan a, b and c for paying off all that health, education, and assisted living debt:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/06/06/the-rents-too-damned-high/

Today, the house-as-asset scam is breathing its last. There are millions more people who need homes than there are homes available. Sure, homelessness is a fantastically complex problem, but you could address every aspect of it – addiction, mental illness, joblessness – and millions of people would still be homeless, because there aren't enough homes for them to live in:

https://headgum.com/factually-with-adam-conover/myths-about-homeless-people-with-dr-margot-kushel

70% of all inflation in 2024 came from the cost of housing; a quarter of that came from illegal collusive behavior by landlords to hike rents:

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/up-to-a-quarter-of-rental-inflation

Wall Street landlords have raised gigantic war-chests and are buying up homes at a rate never before seen, converting every available single-family home in many cities from an owner-occupied home to a rental. Private equity and hedge fund landlords have elevated charging junk fees to an absurdist theater project: you pay a "convenience" charge for paying your rent in cash. But also for paying your rent by direct transfer. Oh, and also for paying in cash. When Wall Street is your landlord, your home is a slum, dangerously undermaintained, sometimes lethally so:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/08/wall-street-landlords/#the-new-slumlords

Capitalists hate capitalism. The best thing to sell is something your customer can't live without, and that no one else has for sale. That's why "the market" loves private prisons so much:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/02/captive-customers/#guillotine-watch

The vast sums Wall Street is putting into buying up all of America's available housing stock is a bet that they can establish regional monopolies over having a home, and charge all the market can bear.

That's the plan at Invitation Homes, a company that was just targeted by the FTC for a slate of eye-watering crimes against the tenants in the 80,000 single-family homes they've acquired:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/09/ftc-takes-action-against-invitation-homes-deceiving-renters-charging-junk-fees-withholding-security

Invitation Homes purchases homes as they come on the market, and they're also a leading customer of the "build-to-rent" housing industry, a fast-growing segment of new housing starts.

Writing about the FTC's enforcement action against Invitation Homes, Matt Soller brings in Starwood Capital Group, who manage Invitation Homes properties, and own 14,000 more homes in the sunbelt. Invitation and Starwood hate the anti-monopoly movement, and Barry Sternlicht, Starwood's billionaire CEO, really hates FTC Chair Lina Khan:

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/monopoly-round-up-corporate-slumlords

The FTC complaint lays out a suite of just comically sleazy things ways that Invitation abuses its tenants, starting with false advertising. The company lists its houses at relatively low rents, then charges a large fee to apply to live there. When you pass the application process, you're told the rent is actually much higher, and if you walk away from the deal, you forfeit your application fee. That scam's netted Invitation $18m since 2019.

Stoller really hates junk fees, calling them "convenience fees without any convenience, service charges without any service performed." He lays out Invitation's long list of junk fees, which honestly sound like a list that Chatgpt would spit out if you prompted it for fifty junk fees that wouldn't pass the giggle-test: "utility management fees" "Lease Easy bundle fees," "air filter delivery fee," "smart home technology fees," etc etc.

"Smart home technology fee?" Yeah, Invitation's gone in hard for Internet of Shit smart home tech. The SVP who oversees Invitation's smart home fee program was ordered to "juice this hog" (you guys, juice doesn't come from hogs).

After decades of recruiting everyday American homeowners to demand anti-tenant policies that benefit giant corporations, American tenants have few rights on paper and even fewer in practice. That's left the door wide open for Invitation to abuse their tenants in a myriad of dismal and unimaginative ways: stealing their deposits, trashing their credit reports to retaliate against complaints, illegal evictions, busted appliances, mold, vermin, insects – the whole slumlord playbook.

As Stoller writes, there's a twist: "this landlord isn’t just a random slumlord, it’s one of the biggest Wall Street players in housing."

There are vast fortunes to be made in converting the human right to housing into an asset class, but those fortunes end up in the hands of a very small number of billionaires. On their own, they wouldn't have the political power to dismantle protections for tenants.

Realistically speaking, most kids who grew up in their parents' owner-occupied homes are going to end up tenants, thanks to undersupply and housing inflation. But those kids' parents have spent decades demanding policies to make their homes as valuable as possible – including mortgage tax breaks (but not rent tax breaks!), looser eviction laws, and less enforcement of what few protections tenants have.

Middle class homeowners are the useful idiots and human shields of the billionaires who are determined to force every American under 40 raise their kids in a rented slum full of spiders, ratshit and black mold, which will still cost 60% of their take-home salary.

That's why the FTC's action against Invitation Homes is such a big deal. And as Stoller points out, Chair Khan is really just implementing Kamala Harris's campaign promise to get Wall Street out of the landlord business.

Wall Street's raid on your bedroom and kitchen has inspired a generation of "finfluencer" copycats who buy and flip apartment buildings, sucking ever-larger amounts of cash out of them until they're unfit for human habitation, with mountains of rat-infested garbage ringing their crumbling walls:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/22/koteswar-jay-gajavelli/#if-you-ever-go-to-houston

Any future worth living in is going to get housing right. We need to stop thinking of housing as an asset and realize that it is, first and foremost, a human right. That's the premise of my 2023 solarpunk novel The Lost Cause, which just came out in paperback:

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865946/thelostcause

You can't protect yourself from rising seas or rising healthcare bills through individual home-ownership. Solidarity – the kind of solidarity that once powered the union movement, and that is powering it again – is the only way to defeat the housing profiteers. The New Deal wasn't perfect, which is why whatever we do next has to be bigger, further reaching, and more inclusive than what FDR did almost a century ago.

The only minority that should be excluded from the next New Deal is billionaires.

Tor Books as just published two new, free LITTLE BROTHER stories: VIGILANT, about creepy surveillance in distance education; and SPILL, about oil pipelines and indigenous landback.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/01/housing-is-a-human-right/#rentier-tech

Image: Sam Valadi (modified) https://www.flickr.com/photos/132084522@N05/17086570218/

Carlos Delgado (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wall_Street_-_New_York_Stock_Exchange.jpg

CC BY 2.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

#pluralistic

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reasonsforhope · 5 months ago

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African poverty is partly a consequence of energy poverty. In every other continent the vast majority of people have access to electricity. In Africa 600m people, 43% of the total, cannot readily light their homes or charge their phones. And those who nominally have grid electricity find it as reliable as a Scottish summer. More than three-quarters of African firms experience outages; two-fifths say electricity is the main constraint on their business.

If other sub-Saharan African countries had enjoyed power as reliable as South Africa’s from 1995 to 2007, then the continent’s rate of real GDP growth per person would have been two percentage points higher, more than doubling the actual rate, according to one academic paper. Since then South Africa has also had erratic electricity. So-called “load-shedding” is probably the main reason why the economy has shrunk in four of the past eight quarters.

Solar power is increasingly seen as the solution. Last year Africa installed a record amount of photovoltaic (PV) capacity (though this still made up just 1% of the total added worldwide), notes the African Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), a trade group. Globally most solar PV is built by utilities, but in Africa 65% of new capacity over the past two years has come from large firms contracting directly with developers. These deals are part of a decentralised revolution that could be of huge benefit to African economies.

Ground zero for the revolution is South Africa. Last year saw a record number of blackouts imposed by Eskom, the state-run utility, whose dysfunctional coal-fired power stations regularly break down or operate at far below capacity. Fortunately, as load-shedding was peaking, the costs of solar systems were plummeting.

Between 2019 and 2023 the cost of panels fell by 15%, having already declined by almost 90% in the 2010s. Meanwhile battery storage systems now cost about half as much as five years ago. Industrial users pay 20-40% less per unit when buying electricity from private project developers than on the cheapest Eskom tariff.

In the past two calendar years the amount of solar capacity in South Africa rose from 2.8GW to 7.8GW, notes AFSIA, excluding that installed on the roofs of suburban homes. All together South Africa’s solar capacity could now be almost a fifth of that of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations (albeit those still have a higher “capacity factor”, or ability to produce electricity around the clock). The growth of solar is a key reason why there has been less load-shedding in 2024...

Over the past decade the number of startups providing “distributed renewable energy” (DRE) has grown at a clip. Industry estimates suggest that more than 400m Africans get electricity from solar home systems and that more than ten times as many “mini-grids”, most of which use solar, were built in 2016-20 than in the preceding five years. In Kenya DRE firms employ more than six times as many people as the largest utility. In Nigeria they have created almost as many jobs as the oil and gas industry.

“The future is an extremely distributed system to an extent that people haven’t fully grasped,” argues Matthew Tilleard of CrossBoundary Group, a firm whose customers range from large businesses to hitherto unconnected consumers. “It’s going to happen here in Africa first and most consequentially.”

Ignite, which operates in nine African countries, has products that include a basic panel that powers three light bulbs and a phone charger, as well as solar-powered irrigation pumps, stoves and internet routers, and industrial systems. Customers use mobile money to “unlock” a pay-as-you-go meter.

Yariv Cohen, Ignite’s CEO, reckons that the typical $3 per month spent by consumers is less than what they previously paid for kerosene and at phone-charging kiosks. He describes how farmers are more productive because they do not have to get home before dark and children are getting better test scores because they study under bulbs. One family in Rwanda used to keep their two cows in their house because they feared rustlers might come in the dark; now the cattle snooze al fresco under an outside lamp and the family gets more sleep.

...That is one eye-catching aspect of Africa’s solar revolution. But most of the continent is undergoing a more subtle—and significant—experiment in decentralised, commercially driven solar power. It is a trend that could both transform African economies and offer lessons to the rest of the world."

-via The Economist, June 18, 2024. Paragraph breaks added.

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vague-humanoid · 4 months ago

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Charlotte, N.C. — During the heat dome that blanketed much of the Southeast in June, Stacey Freeman used window units to cool her poorly insulated mobile home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Over the winter, the 44-year-old mom relied on space heaters.

In both instances, her energy bills reached hundreds of dollars a month.

"Sometimes I have to choose whether I'm going to pay the light bill," Freeman said, "or do I pay all the rent or buy food or not let my son do a sport?"

As a regional field organizer for PowerUp NC, Freeman's job is to help people properly weatherize their homes, particularly in the Sandhills region, where she lives and works and where poverty and rising temperatures make residents vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change.

But Freeman's income is too high to benefit from the very services she helps others attain from that grassroots sustainability, clean energy, and environmental justice initiative.

Like a growing number of Americans, Freeman struggles with what is known as energy poverty, including the inability to afford utilities to heat or cool a home. Households that spend more than 6% of their income on energy bills are energy-poor, some researchers suggest.

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housethemd · 1 year ago

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So inspiration struck today and now I have a fic idea that idk if I should expand on or not.

Basically: House discovers wheelchair basketball.

Remember House was a sporty guy pre-infarction, and I think he would really benefit from a way to play sports again.

I’m imagining House goes to the local YMCA because his current patient was there recently and he brings Wilson along for the trip and when they get there a men’s wheelchair basketball rec team is practicing.

House sees men who clearly have varying levels of mobility all playing together and having fun and he remembers how he felt when he used to play sports.

Wilson sees him staring at the players and even though House plays it off as just wanting to see if anyone was showing any early signs of being ill, Wilson knows better.

Before they leave Wilson manages to sneak away and get information about the team and what days they meet. He waits until the next time he and House are drinking and watching crap TV before he brings it up. He tells House the team is always looking for more players and that they can even loan him a chair for a couple meets until he decides whether he wants to commit and buy his own.

House immediately shuts him down, but the next Thursday evening House doesn’t have a case Wilson gets a call asking if he wants to go the YMCA.

It takes House about half a game to get coordinated, but once he does he loses himself in it. By the time it’s over he’s sweaty and flushed and sore but in the best way. He knows his arms are going to be killing him tomorrow which will make using his cane a pain in the ass but he doesn’t care, because he hasn’t felt this alive since before the infarction.

And Wilson sat by, watching the whole thing. When the game ends and House wheels over Wilson can’t help but smile like an idiot at his friend. The smile on House’s face is one Wilson hasn’t seen in a long time. On the drive home House chatters away happily, not letting Wilson get a word in edgewise but Wilson doesn’t care.

Because this, this is his best friend. He hasn’t seen him in a long time.

#so should I make this a proper fic or not #house md #james wilson #greg house #hate crimes md #dr wilson #hilson #house/wilson #wilson x house #dr house #house md fanfiction #house md fanfic

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meret118 · 2 months ago

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A new report from Popular Democracy and the Institute for Policy Studies reveals how billionaire investors have become a major driver of the nationwide housing crisis. They summarize in their own words:

Billionaire-backed private equity firms worm their way into different segments of the housing market to extract ever-increasing rents and value from multi-family rental, single-family homes, and mobile home park communities.— Global billionaires purchase billions in U.S. real estate to diversify their asset holdings, driving the creation of luxury housing that functions as “safety deposit boxes in the sky.” Estimates of hidden wealth are as high as $36 trillion globally, with billions parked in U.S. land and housing markets. — Wealthy investors are acquiring property and holding units vacant, so that in many communities the number of vacant units greatly exceeds the number of unhoused people. Nationwide there are 16 million vacant homes: that is, 28 vacant homes for every unhoused person. — Billionaire investors are buying up a large segment of the short-term rental market, preventing local residents from living in these homes, in order to cash in on tourism. These are not small owners with one unit, but corporate owners with multiple properties. — Billionaire investors and corporate landlords are targeting communities of color and low-income residents, in particular, with rent increases, high rates of eviction, and unhealthy living conditions. What’s more, billionaire-owned private equity firms are investing in subsidized housing, enjoying tax breaks and public benefits, while raising rents and evicting low-income tenants from housing they are only required to keep affordable, temporarily.

. . .

Thirty-two percent is the magic threshold, according to research funded by the real estate listing company Zillow. When neighborhoods hit rent rates in excess of 32 percent of neighborhood income, homelessness explodes. And we’re seeing it play out right in front of us in cities across America because a handful of Wall Street billionaires are making a killing.

As the Zillow study notes:

“Across the country, the rent burden already exceeds the 32 percent [of median income] threshold in 100 of the 386 markets included in this analysis….”And wherever housing prices become more than three times annual income, homelessness stalks like the grim reaper.

That Zillow-funded study laid it out:

“This research demonstrates that the homeless population climbs faster when rent affordability — the share of income people spend on rent — crosses certain thresholds. In many areas beyond those thresholds, even modest rent increases can push thousands more Americans into homelessness.”This trend is massive.

. . .

As noted in a Wall Street Journal article titled “Meet Your New Landlord: Wall Street,” in just one suburb (Spring Hill) of Nashville:

“In all of Spring Hill, four firms … own nearly 700 houses … [which] amounts to about 5% of all the houses in town.”

This is the tiniest tip of the iceberg.

“On the first Tuesday of each month,” notes the Journal article about a similar phenomenon in Atlanta, investors “toted duffels stuffed with millions of dollars in cashier’s checks made out in various denominations so they wouldn’t have to interrupt their buying spree with trips to the bank…”

The same thing is happening in cities and suburbs all across America; agents for the billionaire investor goliaths use fine-tuned computer algorithms to sniff out houses they can turn into rental properties, making over-market and unbeatable cash bids often within minutes of a house hitting the market.

. . .

As the Bank of International Settlements summarized in a 2014 retrospective study of the years since the Reagan/Gingrich changes in banking and finance:

“We describe a Pareto frontier along which different levels of risk-taking map into different levels of welfare for the two parties, pitting Main Street against Wall Street. … We also show that financial innovation, asymmetric compensation schemes, concentration in the banking system, and bailout expectations enable or encourage greater risk-taking and allocate greater surplus to Wall Street at the expense of Main Street

.”It’s a fancy way of saying that billionaire-owned big banks and hedge funds have made trillions on housing while you and your community are becoming destitute.

. . .

Turns out it was Blackstone Group, now the world’s largest real estate investor run by a major Trump supporter. At the time they were buying $150 million worth of American houses every week, trying to spend over $10 billion. And that’s just a drop in the overall bucket.

As that new study from Popular Democracy and the Institute for Policy Studies found:

“[Billionaire Stephen Schwarzman’s] Blackstone is the largest corporate landlord in the world, with a vast and diversified real estate portfolio. It owns more than 300,000 residential units across the U.S., has $1 trillion in global assets, and nearly doubled its profits in 2021. “Blackstone owns 149,000 multi-family apartment units; 63,000 single-family homes; 70 mobile home parks with 13,000 lots through their subsidiary Treehouse Communities; and student housing, through American Campus Communities (144,300 beds in 205 properties as of 2022). Blackstone recently acquired 95,000 units of subsidized housing.”

In 2018, corporations and the billionaires that own or run them bought 1 out of every 10 homes sold in America, according to Dezember, noting that:

“Between 2006 and 2016, when the homeownership rate fell to its lowest level in fifty years, the number of renters grew by about a quarter.”

And it’s gotten worse every year since then.

. . .

Warren Buffett, KKR, and The Carlyle Group have all jumped into residential real estate, along with hundreds of smaller investment groups, and the National Home Rental Council has emerged as the industry’s premiere lobbying group, working to block rent control legislation and other efforts to control the industry.

As John Husing, the owner of Economics and Politics Inc., told The Tennessean newspaper:

“What you have are neighborhoods that are essentially unregulated apartment houses. It could be disastrous for the city.”

As Zillow found:

“The areas that are most vulnerable to rising rents, unaffordability, and poverty hold 15 percent of the U.S. population — and 47 percent of people experiencing homelessness.”

. . .

The loss of affordable homes also locks otherwise middle class families out of the traditional way wealth is accumulated — through home ownership: over 61% of all American middle-income family wealth is their home’s equity.

And as families are priced out of ownership and forced to rent, they become more vulnerable to homelessness.

Housing is one of the primary essentials of life. Nobody in America should be without it, and for society to work, housing costs must track incomes in a way that makes housing both available and affordable.

Singapore, Denmark, New Zealand, and parts of Canada have all put limits on billionaire, corporate, and foreign investment in housing, recognizing families’ residences as essential to life rather than purely a commodity. Multiple other countries are having that debate or moving to take similar actions as you read these words.

To address the housing shortage and bring down prices for renters and homeowners alike, the Harris campaign’s plan calls for a historic expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and the first-ever tax incentive for homebuilders who build starter homes sold to first-time homebuyers. Building upon the Biden-Harris administration’s proposed $20 billion innovation fund, the campaign proposes a $40 billion fund that would support local innovations in housing supply solutions, catalyze innovative methods of construction financing, and empower developers and homebuilders to design and build affordable homes.

To cut red tape and bring down housing costs, the plan calls for streamlining permitting processes and reviews, including for transit-oriented development and conversions. The agenda also proposes making certain federal lands eligible to be repurposed for affordable housing development. Collectively, these policy proposals seek to create 3 million homes in the next four years.

The campaign plan cites the Biden-Harris administration’s ongoing actions to support the lowest-income renters, including its actions to expand rental assistance for veterans and other low-income renters, increase housing supply for people experiencing homelessness, enforce fair housing laws, and hold corporate landlords accountable.

Building upon these commitments, the Harris agenda calls upon Congress to pass the “Stop Predatory Investing Act,” which would remove key tax benefits for major investors who acquire large numbers of single-family rental homes (see Memo, 7/17/23), and the “Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act,” which would crack down on algorithmic rent-setting software that enables price-fixing among corporate landlords.

To make homeownership attainable, Vice President Harris’s proposal would provide up to $25,000 in downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers who have paid their rent on time for two years. First-generation homeowners – those whose parents did not own homes – would receive more generous assistance.

Vice President Harris’s economic agenda also includes proposals to lower grocery costs, lower the costs of prescription drugs and relieve medical debt, and cut taxes for workers and families with children. The plan would restore the American Rescue Plan’s expanded Child Tax Credit, which provided up to $3,600 per child for low- and middle-income families for one year before it expired in 2022, and would enact a new $6,000 tax credit for families in the first year after their child is born. These measures to reduce expenses and boost household income would also improve housing security for low-income families, who often face impossible tradeoffs between paying rent and affording food, medical care, and other basic needs.

-----

Sorry for the length, but I thought this was really important.

#Trump #2024 #Housing #Rent #Harris

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posttexasstressdisorder · 2 months ago

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How Trump's billionaires are hijacking affordable housing

Thom Hartmann

October 24, 2024 8:52AM ET

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York City, U.S., October 17, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

America’s morbidly rich billionaires are at it again, this time screwing the average family’s ability to have decent, affordable housing in their never-ending quest for more, more, more. Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, and Denmark have had enough and done something about it: we should, too.

There are a few things that are essential to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” that should never be purely left to the marketplace; these are the most important sectors where government intervention, regulation, and even subsidy are not just appropriate but essential. Housing is at the top of that list.

A few days ago I noted how, since the Reagan Revolution, the cost of housing has exploded in America, relative to working class income.

When my dad bought his home in the 1950s, for example, the median price of a single-family house was around 2.2 times the median American family income. Today the St. Louis Fed says the median house sells for $417,700 while the median American income is $40,480—a ratio of more than 10 to 1 between housing costs and annual income.

ALSO READ: He’s mentally ill:' NY laughs ahead of Trump's Madison Square Garden rally

In other words, housing is about five times more expensive (relative to income) than it was in the 1950s.

And now we’ve surged past a new tipping point, causing the homelessness that’s plagued America’s cities since George W. Bush’s deregulation-driven housing- and stock-market crash in 2008, exacerbated by Trump’s bungling America’s pandemic response.

And the principal cause of both that crash and today’s crisis of homelessness and housing affordability has one, single, primary cause: billionaires treating housing as an investment commodity.

— Billionaire-backed private equity firms worm their way into different segments of the housing market to extract ever-increasing rents and value from multi-family rental, single-family homes, and mobile home park communities. — Global billionaires purchase billions in U.S. real estate to diversify their asset holdings, driving the creation of luxury housing that functions as “safety deposit boxes in the sky.” Estimates of hidden wealth are as high as $36 trillion globally, with billions parked in U.S. land and housing markets. — Wealthy investors are acquiring property and holding units vacant, so that in many communities the number of vacant units greatly exceeds the number of unhoused people. Nationwide there are 16 million vacant homes: that is, 28 vacant homes for every unhoused person. — Billionaire investors are buying up a large segment of the short-term rental market, preventing local residents from living in these homes, in order to cash in on tourism. These are not small owners with one unit, but corporate owners with multiple properties. — Billionaire investors and corporate landlords are targeting communities of color and low-income residents, in particular, with rent increases, high rates of eviction, and unhealthy living conditions. What’s more, billionaire-owned private equity firms are investing in subsidized housing, enjoying tax breaks and public benefits, while raising rents and evicting low-income tenants from housing they are only required to keep affordable, temporarily. (Emphasis theirs.)

It seems that everywhere you look in America you see the tragedy of the homelessness these billionaires are causing. Rarely, though, do you hear about the role of Wall Street and its billionaires in causing it.

The math, however, is irrefutable.

As the Zillow study notes:

“Across the country, the rent burden already exceeds the 32 percent [of median income] threshold in 100 of the 386 markets included in this analysis….”

And wherever housing prices become more than three times annual income, homelessness stalks like the grim reaper. That Zillow-funded study laid it out:

This trend is massive.

As noted in a Wall Street Journal article titled “Meet Your New Landlord: Wall Street,” in just one suburb (Spring Hill) of Nashville:

“In all of Spring Hill, four firms … own nearly 700 houses … [which] amounts to about 5% of all the houses in town.”

This is the tiniest tip of the iceberg.

After stripping neighborhoods of homes young families can afford to buy, billionaires then begin raising rents to extract as much cash as they can from local working class communities.

In the Nashville suburb of Spring Hill, the vice-mayor, Bruce Hull, told the Journal you used to be able to rent “a three bedroom, two bath house for $1,000 a month.” Today, the Journal notes:

“The average rent for 148 single-family homes in Spring Hill owned by the big four [Wall Street billionaire investor] landlords was about $1,773 a month…”

As the Bank of International Settlements summarized in a 2014 retrospective study of the years since the Reagan/Gingrich changes in banking and finance:

It’s a fancy way of saying that billionaire-owned big banks and hedge funds have made trillions on housing while you and your community are becoming destitute.

Ryan Dezember, in his book Underwater: How Our American Dream of Homeownership Became a Nightmare, describes the story of a family trying to buy a home in Phoenix. Every time they entered a bid, they were outbid instantly, the price rising over and over, until finally the family’s father threw in the towel.

“Jacobs was bewildered,” writes Dezember. “Who was this aggressive bidder?”

As that new study from Popular Democracy and the Institute for Policy Studies found:

In 2018, corporations and the billionaires that own or run them bought 1 out of every 10 homes sold in America, according to Dezember, noting that:

“Between 2006 and 2016, when the homeownership rate fell to its lowest level in fifty years, the number of renters grew by about a quarter.”

And it’s gotten worse every year since then.

This all really took off around a decade ago following the Bush Crash, when Morgan Stanley published a 2011 report titled “The Rentership Society,” arguing that snapping up houses and renting them back to people who otherwise would have wanted to buy them could be the newest and hottest investment opportunity for Wall Street’s billionaires and their funds.

Turns out, Morgan Stanley was right. Warren Buffett, KKR, and The Carlyle Group have all jumped into residential real estate, along with hundreds of smaller investment groups, and the National Home Rental Council has emerged as the industry’s premiere lobbying group, working to block rent control legislation and other efforts to control the industry.

As John Husing, the owner of Economics and Politics Inc., told The Tennessean newspaper:

“What you have are neighborhoods that are essentially unregulated apartment houses. It could be disastrous for the city.”

As Zillow found:

“The areas that are most vulnerable to rising rents, unaffordability, and poverty hold 15 percent of the U.S. population — and 47 percent of people experiencing homelessness.”

And as families are priced out of ownership and forced to rent, they become more vulnerable to homelessness.

America should, too.

ALSO READ: Not even ‘Fox and Friends’ can hide Trump’s dementia

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youareinlovetv · 6 months ago

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you wake up. you get out of bed to your alarm set on your phone, and go downstairs to eat breakfast. you decide to go on tumblr for your morning scroll while eating, and find that the ads have gotten more frequent now. they’re all for mobile games. and you can’t mute them because there’s no mute button. you decide to go to youtube to watch a video instead but remember that you have to skip 2 15 second ads just it watch, with 10 ad breaks in an 8 minute video.

you get up and finish getting ready, and go drive to work. on your way, you see dozens of billboards advertising medicine, restaurants, and other things. you turn on the radio to be bombarded with an ad break that feels longer and longer each time you turn on the radio. you open spotify instead and find out your premium subscription expired because you forgot to pay it. no worries, you don’t need it! you shuffle your playlist and after the first song plays, 3 30 second ads play back to back, with the most annoying sounds possible. after your ad break is over, spotify teases you and gives you a 10 second ad saying how you should buy premium.

you arrive to work and open your email inbox to find that half of it is spam, filled with ads and offers for services, dumb skin care products, fake deals on stores. you close your email and decide to listen to a podcast while you work. 5 minutes into the podcast, without warning, the hosts go into an ad break and talk about their new sponsor. this goes on for 5 minutes more. you turn off the podcast and decide to work in silence until you go home.

on your way home, you see the same billboards teasing you like they did in the morning. you don’t get tempted.

you decide to go to the store to get a sweet treat for yourself for all the work you did today. as you’re checking out, the cashier asks if you want to join their rewards program. you say no. they insist. they describe all the “offers” and “benefits” of the program. after saying no 6 times, and waiting 5 minutes, they stop trying. you leave the store.

you go home and decide to watch a show. you open your streaming service to find that they demoted you down to an “ad-supported” tier, and to get no ads again, you have to pay a higher price. but it shouldn’t be that bad. you start playing the show, but 5 minutes in an ad break comes on. it lasts 5 minutes. there’s 6 ad breaks throughout the 44 minute episode. you quit watching after the 2nd break.

you decide instead that maybe you can watch some tiktok to unwind, but that was a bad decision. half of your for you page is cluttered with sponsorships, temu-grade products, and livestreams of people baiting for money.

you close tiktok and think about how boring your life is, so you google “things you can do to make your life less boring”. the first 10 results are all ads for amusement parks that cost too much money and games that also cost too much money. after scrolling through the ads, you find articles with lists of ideas, but by #100 they start repeating the same ideas, but with different wording. you closed the tab after seeing the 6th pop up asking you to subscribe to their email list.

maybe you can read a book! you’ve already read all your physical books, so maybe you can read one of the books you got for your kindle. you pick up your kindle and see an ad on the screen for some dumb product. you put the kindle down and decide to go to bed early.

laying down in bed awake, you wonder how we got this way. how riddled our society is with marketing, corporations, and ads. why everyone wants to sell you something. why instead of making something you love and sharing it with the world, you ruin it with greedy marketing schemes and tactics.

but you can’t do anything about it, can you?

you close your eyes and try to sleep.

you dream about a world without greed, and realize that it’s never going to become a reality.

#tom talks #capitalism #greed #politics #ads #marketing #advertising #mental health #depression #boredom #tiktok #twitter #social media #youtube #netflix #spotify

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queer-crip-grows · 1 year ago

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Right-to-buy council houses without specifically only releasing housing that already had a replacement built was of the most notable ways of the *many* that Thatcher et al screwed the UK.

I’d love to have a law put in place that landlords either have to sign contracts to provide housing under council house-type contracts with rent controls to people on housing benefit etc, or sell to the local council at compulsory purchase prices.

Same for all the houses not being lived in - use to house people under contractual controls, or have to sell to the council housing central fund.

Personally I’d start converting all the office units that are no longer needed because so many people are working remotely now into housing too.

Same for the huge city centre shops - I’m not sure if the pattern repeats elsewhere, but I live near Glasgow and the city centre has basically died since Covid. No one is renting the huge retail stores and the place is full of unhoused folk, which is a fucking scandal. So convert them into housing; let the buildings see use, and let those folks get off the streets. Pets and kids specifically allowed too - get families out of one-room shelters and into proper homes of their own.

I’ve heard that there would be issues putting in water infrastructure, but given the place is literally crumbling already and usage in so many areas is so low that having workers digging up the streets to install water lines wouldn’t cause enormous disruption, the time to do this is *now*. Build rainwater catchment and purification systems on roofs too - we get so much rain in the UK it’s kind of ridiculous not to use it! Some of that could go directly to drip irrigation in gardens, but plenty could go right into the houses/flats too. And of course this would provide tons of jobs in construction, architecture, planning etc etc.

Install gardens and green spaces around the place while you are doing this - offer some at low rent, or to buy cheaply, to market gardeners, but specifically put spaces in for communal gardens with the idea of offering allotments and encouraging people to grow their own food.

Put solar panels on every roof and integrate spaces for smaller wind turbines amongst the houses too. Huge storage batteries in basements to make the new blocks as low-footprint and self-sufficient as possible power-wise.

It would be a *fantastic* opportunity to create genuinely accessible housing - office buildings and shops already have lifts and wide corridors ideal for wheelchairs and other mobility devices, so keep that in the design when creating housing. There is a hidden epidemic of houselessness amongst disabled people and older folk with mobility needs, so create low-rent council housing that specifically fits those needs there.

It would regenerate the areas - all the smaller shopfronts not suitable for housing conversion would fill up with people offering the things people in residential neighbourhoods need, with a guaranteed payer base. People on low incomes *use* all of their incomes on necessities, so small businesses selling those necessities will do well. Offer small businesses low rents to provide those necessities. Any that don’t fill up, offer to charities and use for council staff offering the aid and advice people transitioning into housing actually *need*.

Carers are generally low-paid - so this would be an opportunity to offer them cheap housing close to a huge client base in the new accessible housing. No need for low-paid, mostly-female workers to dash constantly between clients in cars. They could walk to work and walk in between clients, who would also no longer be trapped in inaccessible homes, so people who are not actually bedbound would hopefully be less housebound.

Put rooms in the blocks for communal and co-op activities to reduce isolation - with the lifts and wide corridors, even people who are functionally housebound are likely to be able to make it to a room in their own building, and even quite young children could get to those places safely on their own if their parents are working. Wraparound childcare, paid and informal, near where folks actually live.

City centre areas that are now largely dead other than unhoused people, with limited and decreasing zero economic activity taking place and a decreasing incentive for businesses to set up there rather than in out-of-town retail parks people need to drive to, would become vibrant communities with every incentive for businesses to set up there, particularly for the small businesses that still employ the majority of people.

It wouldn’t take a lot to extend this model to transform those out-of-town business parks that are currently largely empty either; nothing says the businesses that are still there would need to move, and they would have a huge new pool of potential employees living within easily walkable distance, though there would need to be oversight to make sure places like Amazon didn’t attempt to buy them up and turn them into company housing. There would need to be a little more investment to provide green transport links like electric buses and trains so that it would be easier for small businesses to move in to provide services, but given the tax income that would result and the reduction in pollution the investment would probably pay itself back within a decade or so.

#a queer crip grows #housing #housing crisis #solarpunk #solutions #solutions to climate crisis #walkable communities #walkable cities #urban gardening #urban food growing #providing housing #ending homelessness #climate friendly #climate crisis #the future is accessible #accessibility #accessible cities #accessible communities

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copperbadge · 1 year ago

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Radio Free Monday

Good morning everyone, and welcome to Radio Free Monday! Ways to Give: Anon linked to a fundraiser for a family member who has developed increasingly severe allergies; her insurance won't cover a food allergy test to figure out what's causing the sudden reactions, so they're fundraising to cover the cost. You can read more and support the fundraiser here. audkitty's close friend just found out he has a tumor at the base of his skull; he needs to have it removed ASAP, but health insurance won't cover the full procedure, and he needs to raise about $8.2K to cover bills. You can read more and support the fundraiser here. mamajosrefuge is finally funding their top surgery, and needs help with funds; you can read more and support the fundraiser here. kirkfanatic linked to a fundraiser for a good friend's husband, who is funding his top surgery after getting a job that will allow him recovery time; you can read more and support the fundraiser here. Anon linked to a fundraiser for maximumsunshine, who will be returning to work in August after life-saving surgery but is behind on rent, bills, and food until their first paycheck comes in at the end of next month. You can read more and reblog here, or support them via patreon or via paypal. Anon linked to a fundraiser for thebisexualmandalorian, a trans person raising funds to move themself and their cat away from abusive family members and out of a state that is becoming increasingly hostile and dangerous for trans people. You can read more, reblog, and find giving information here. theleakypen linked to a fundraiser for friends Kayti and Eli, who have been living precariously since leaving an abusive housing situation; they now have some stability with a new roommate and chosen family member, but still need help with household expenses and car maintenance, especially since the household has multiple disabilities. You can read more and support the fundraiser here. songspinner9's kid Wren, age 23, had their e-bike stolen this week; Wren's disabilities mean they can't safely drive, and have limited energy, so the bike was a necessary mobility aid and tool for independence, particularly in commuting to their work at a local youth center. They are raising funds for a refurbished replacement that meets their needs; you can read more and support the fundraiser here. Anon linked to a fundraiser for rosietwiggs, whose family was hit hard by COVID and is dealing with an ongoing lawsuit against insurance; she's fundraising for school supplies and also summer activity stuff for her kids, who are all at home during the summer. You can read more and reblog here or give via ko-fi here. Buy Stuff, Help Out: queerdo-mcjewface is selling corsets that no longer fit on eBay; 100% of proceeds benefit the National Lawyers' Guild (which provides legal aid to activists) and the Entertainment Community Fund (which helps striking show business workers). The auctions are for 24" and 26" corsets and run through Sunday, July 30th. You can see and purchase them here. Recurring Needs: Anon linked to a fundraiser for littlefluffbutt, who is facing homelessness with two daughters due to a predatory loan and support falling through; you can read more and reblog here or support the fundraiser here. And this has been Radio Free Monday! Thank you for your time. You can post items for my attention at the Radio Free Monday submissions form. If you're new to fundraising, you may want to check out my guide to fundraising here.

#radio free monday #charity #philanthropy #fannish community

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latifurlimon · 2 months ago

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Why Local Businesses Need SEO Services

In today’s digital landscape, local businesses face unique challenges and opportunities. One of the most effective ways to ensure visibility and attract customers is through Search Engine Optimization (SEO). In this post, we’ll explore what local businesses are, delve into local SEO, and discuss why investing in SEO services is crucial for success.

What is a Local Business?

A local business typically serves a specific geographic area and caters to the needs of local customers. This could include restaurants, retail stores, service providers like plumbers or electricians, and more. These businesses rely heavily on foot traffic and community engagement to thrive.

Local Business Examples

Restaurants and Cafés

Health and Wellness Services

Home Services:

Retail Shops

Beauty Salons

Legal Services

What’s Local SEO?

Local SEO means when a customer searches for some keywords focuses on optimizing a website to be showing in local search results. When users search for products or services in their area, local SEO helps ensure that relevant businesses appear prominently in search engine results. This involves optimizing your Google My Business profile, building local citations, and gathering customer reviews, among other strategies.

What is Local SEO in Digital Marketing?

In the realm of digital marketing, local SEO is essential for connecting businesses with their local community. It involves strategies tailored to attract local customers and convert them into loyal patrons. This may include targeted content creation, optimizing for local keywords, and utilizing location-based marketing tactics.

Why Do You Need Local SEO Services?

Investing in local SEO services is vital for several reasons:

Develop Visibility: Local SEO helps your business appear in local search results, making it an easy way for organic customers to look at you.

Competitive Edge: Many local businesses are still catching up on digital marketing. By implementing local SEO strategies, you can outshine your competitors who may not be utilizing these tactics.

Targeted Traffic: Local SEO attracts customers who are already looking for the products or services you offer, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

Mobile Optimization: With the rise of mobile searches, having a strong local SEO strategy ensures your business is easily discoverable by users on-the-go.

Why is Local SEO Important for Small Businesses?

For small businesses, local SEO is even more critical. Here’s why:

Limited Budgets: Small businesses often operate on tighter budgets. Local SEO provides a premium-attractive way to attract customers without the necessity for extensive promotion.

Community Focus: Small businesses typically serve a specific community. Local SEO allows them to target local customers, enhancing their connection to the community.

Greater ROI: By attracting local customers who are ready to buy, local SEO can lead to higher conversion rates and a better return on investment.

Building Relationships: Small businesses can benefit greatly from fostering relationships with local customers. Local SEO strategies, such as engaging with reviews and local events, can help strengthen these ties.

Conclusion

In conclusion, local businesses must recognize the importance of SEO services to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. By implementing effective local SEO strategies, businesses can increase visibility, attract targeted traffic, and foster community trust. For more information on how to optimize your local presence, consider consulting a professional in local SEO. To learn more about Local SEO, check out this expert resource.

#local businesses #local seo #seo strategy #local citations #local business #market #traffic #seo specialist #on page seo #link building #professional seo services #gmb optimization #gmb posts for location #gmb services #gmb listing

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sandeep-trading · 2 months ago

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Complete Guide to Cash App Bitcoin (BTC) Withdrawal Limit

Bitcoin (BTC) trading has grown exponentially, with Cash App emerging as one of the most convenient and popular platforms to buy, sell, and withdraw BTC. However, for users dealing with high volumes of BTC, understanding Cash App’s Bitcoin withdrawal limits is essential for a smooth experience. This guide offers a deep dive into the BTC withdrawal limits on Cash App, how to manage these limits, and best practices to maximize your Cash App account for BTC transactions.

What is the Cash App Bitcoin (BTC) Withdrawal Limit?

Cash App imposes specific limits on Bitcoin withdrawals to ensure security and manage platform capacity effectively. For standard users, Cash App currently limits BTC withdrawals to $2,000 worth of Bitcoin per day and up to $5,000 per week. These limits may vary slightly depending on account status, identity verification level, and Cash App’s policies.

Why Does Cash App Have BTC Withdrawal Limits?

Withdrawal limits are a security measure. Cash App limits BTC transactions to protect accounts from unauthorized activities and minimize risks associated with high-frequency transactions. Users can benefit from enhanced security while still accessing the ability to buy, sell, and withdraw BTC within these set thresholds.

How to Check Your Cash App Bitcoin Withdrawal Limits

Cash App allows users to view their current BTC withdrawal limits within the app. follow these steps to access this information:

Open Cash App on your mobile device.

Navigate to the “Bitcoin” tab on the home screen.

Select “Withdraw Bitcoin” – you’ll see your daily and weekly withdrawal limits listed here.

These limits are standard for verified users, but Cash App may update these values periodically.

How to Increase Your Bitcoin Withdrawal Limits on Cash App

For users looking to increase Cash App BTC withdrawal capacity, Cash App offers a straightforward way to verify your account and access higher limits:

Verify Your Identity: Cash App requires you to complete identity verification for any increase in BTC limits. This process typically involves submitting a government-issued ID and a selfie.

Verify Your Bitcoin Address: Ensuring that the BTC address you use for withdrawals is confirmed and secure can help prevent potential issues and establish a trusted withdrawal pattern.

After completing these steps, Cash App reviews your information, and eligible users may see a significant increase in their BTC withdrawal limits.

Steps to Complete Cash App Identity Verification

Open Cash App and tap on your profile icon.

Select Personal Information and fill in the required fields.

Upload a government-issued ID and submit a real-time selfie.

Cash App usually processes these details within 24–48 hours.

Once verified, you should receive a confirmation message indicating any updates to your BTC withdrawal limit.

Understanding Cash App’s Verification Levels for BTC Withdrawals

Cash App’s BTC withdrawal limit varies by account status. Here’s a breakdown of limits based on Cash App’s verification levels:

Unverified Users: Limited access to BTC trading and capped at lower withdrawal limits.

Verified Users: Standard daily and weekly BTC withdrawal limits apply.

Enhanced Verification: Some high-frequency users or those with additional verification may be eligible for customized limits.

How to Withdraw Bitcoin on Cash App

To withdraw Bitcoin from Cash App to an external wallet:

Go to the Bitcoin tab within the app.

Select “Withdraw Bitcoin” and enter the amount you wish to transfer.

Input your BTC wallet address or scan a wallet QR code.

Review the details and confirm the withdrawal.

Bitcoin transfers can take from a few minutes up to an hour depending on network congestion. Cash App will provide a confirmation once the BTC is sent.

Are There Fees Associated with Cash App Bitcoin Withdrawals?

Yes, Cash App charges fees for Bitcoin withdrawals. These fees can vary based on network activity and market conditions. Cash App provides the fee estimate before completing the transaction. Users are encouraged to review fee rates during times of high network traffic as fees may temporarily increase.

How to Calculate Cash App BTC Withdrawal Fees

Fixed Transaction Fee: This is the fee Cash App charges on every BTC withdrawal transaction, regardless of the amount.

Variable Network Fee: This fee fluctuates based on blockchain network demand. High demand leads to higher fees.

Users can view the specific fee amount for each transaction in the app. If you’re aiming to save on fees, consider transferring during off-peak network hours.

BTC Withdrawal Limit FAQ

1. Can I Withdraw More Than My BTC Limit on Cash App?

Currently, Cash App does not allow withdrawals beyond the specified limit. To send larger amounts of BTC, you may need to split transactions over multiple days or weeks.

2. How Long Does it Take for BTC to Withdraw from Cash App?

Once a withdrawal request is made, Cash App processes BTC transactions quickly, usually within a few minutes to an hour. Processing time may increase during high-demand periods.

3. Are Cash App BTC Withdrawal Limits the Same for All Users?

No, BTC limits can vary based on user verification level. Verified users can enjoy higher limits, while unverified accounts have restricted BTC withdrawal capabilities.

4. Is There a Limit to the Number of BTC Withdrawals I Can Make on Cash App?

While there’s no limit on the number of withdrawals, the daily and weekly amount is capped. Users must adhere to these limits.

5. Can I Increase My BTC Withdrawal Limit Temporarily?

Currently, there’s no option to temporarily increase BTC withdrawal limits on Cash App. However, verification may unlock higher transaction thresholds over time.

Best Practices for Managing Cash App BTC Withdrawals

Managing BTC transactions on Cash App effectively can save you both time and money:

Plan BTC Withdrawals: Given the limits, plan large transactions in advance to avoid hitting the cap unexpectedly.

Check Fees: BTC fees can vary significantly. Be mindful of withdrawal costs, especially during times of high network activity.

Ensure Accurate Wallet Addresses: Always double-check the BTC wallet address you’re sending to. Mistakes can result in lost funds.

Stay Informed on Limit Changes: Cash App periodically updates its policies and may adjust withdrawal limits. Keeping up with these changes helps ensure smooth BTC transactions.

Conclusion

Navigating the Cash App Bitcoin withdrawal limit is straightforward when users understand the platform’s policies and limits. By verifying accounts and following best practices, users can maximize their experience on Cash App, enjoying secure and effective BTC transactions. For those needing larger capacities, enhancing account verification can unlock higher BTC withdrawal thresholds.

#cash app limit

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putschki1969 · 2 years ago

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Hikaru Solo Live Details (Live Broadcast)

【LIVE Announcement】 For the first time in a long while, Hikaru will be holding a solo live! 🎵 Details about the upcoming live have been revealed on May 20 during a special live stream on the mobile app Music Champ☺️ Wasn’t able to watch the beginning since Keiko decided to do an Instagram Live and obviously, I couldn’t miss out on that XD

Details Date: Date: 2023/0723 Doors open: 17:00 | Start: 17:30 Title: B-day LIVE 2023 -Be the Best day- Venue: CLUB SEATA Tickets: https://eplus.jp/hikarulive/ Lottery period: 2023/5/20 22:00～2023/5/27 23:59 General sale: 2023/6/3 12:00～2023/7/20 18:00 Back-up band: HaKA, Yuki, Yuhei Hisama, Hiroaki Tanabe, Yusuke Suga Notes: The hall has a capacity of 500 people (standing), however, there will be seats for this event so I’m not sure how many people will fit into the venue. According to Hikaru, there will be no guests, no home video release and as of right now, no live stream option.

⁡In other news, Hikaru will hold a special live broadcast on Music Champ on July 2 (19:00~; Sunday) to celebrate her birthday together with us fans. There’s also some sort of “fever” campaign planned, ”fever” is the red firey thingy at the top of each broadcast I think, there’s another orange thingy which also needs to be increased. Not sure about the specifics. Sounds like viewers need to increase Hikaru’s “fever” amount leading up to/during the stream in order to be eligible for a handful of special presents/benefits (e.g. digital photobook for 100 million fever points). A high “fever” number seems to be achieved by buying in-app-items or maybe it’s just necessary to interact a lot and send free emojis? No idea. I don’t understand apps like this at all. Ughh, I really don’t like how this app is forced down our throats...

Live Corner (during today’s broadcast) Hikaru is joined by HaKA (Kenichiro Hakariya), a member of SPICE and C.C.C and the composer of Ambient Border as well as Hikaru’s more recent freelance songs. I love that Hikaru has been singing a lot during her broadcasts lately (inlcuding Kalafina songs) but I hate that I still haven’t figured out how to record those streams T_T 1. Survivor

■App「Music Champ」Download ・App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/musicchamp/id1511895708 ・Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.music.champ

#kalafina #hikaru #news #freelancer hikaru #hikaru solo live #B-day LIVE 2023 -Be the Best day-#B-day LIVE 2023

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gonzalez756 · 4 months ago

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The Pros and Cons of E-Commerce: A Comprehensive Analysis

In the modern digital age, e-commerce has become an integral part of the retail landscape. From buying groceries to booking flights, the ease and convenience of online shopping have revolutionized how we conduct transactions. However, while e-commerce offers numerous benefits, it also comes with its own set of challenges. In this article, we will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of e-commerce, providing a thorough understanding of its impact on both businesses and consumers.

Advantages of E-Commerce

1. Convenience:

One of the most significant advantages of e-commerce is its unparalleled convenience. Online stores operate 24/7, allowing customers to shop at any time of day or night. This round-the-clock availability means that shoppers are no longer restricted to traditional store hours, enabling them to make purchases from the comfort of their homes or on the go. For businesses, this constant availability translates to potentially higher sales and revenue as customers can shop whenever it suits them.

Additionally, e-commerce eliminates the need for physical travel to stores. Consumers can browse, compare, and purchase products without leaving their homes. This convenience is especially beneficial for those with busy schedules, mobility issues, or those living in remote areas with limited access to physical stores. The global reach of e-commerce further amplifies this convenience, enabling customers to access products and services from across the world.

2. Cost-Effectiveness:

E-commerce can be more cost-effective for both businesses and consumers. For businesses, online stores often have lower operational costs compared to brick-and-mortar establishments. There is no need for physical space, and businesses can save on expenses related to rent, utilities, and in-store staff. The lower overhead allows companies to offer more competitive prices or invest in other areas such as marketing and product development.

For consumers, e-commerce provides opportunities to find better deals and discounts. Online shopping platforms frequently offer promotional codes, seasonal sales, and special offers that may not be available in physical stores. Moreover, consumers can compare prices across multiple websites to find the best deal, which can lead to substantial savings.

3. Wide Selection:

E-commerce platforms can offer an extensive range of products and services that far exceed the inventory of most physical stores. This vast selection is beneficial for consumers who are looking for specific items or niche products that may not be available locally. Online stores are not limited by physical space, which allows them to stock a broader variety of items.

Furthermore, e-commerce facilitates easy comparison shopping. Consumers can quickly and efficiently compare products, prices, and reviews from different sellers. This transparency helps customers make informed purchasing decisions and ensures they get the best value for their money.

4. Personalized Experience:

Another advantage of e-commerce is the ability to provide a personalized shopping experience. Advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence enable online retailers to track consumer behavior, preferences, and purchase history. This information allows businesses to tailor their marketing strategies and offer personalized product recommendations based on individual interests.

Customer reviews and ratings also contribute to a more informed shopping experience. Online reviews provide insights from other buyers, helping customers gauge the quality and reliability of products and sellers. This wealth of information aids in building trust and making well-informed decisions.

5. Easy Access to Information:

E-commerce platforms offer easy access to a wealth of information. Detailed product descriptions, specifications, and high-resolution images are readily available, allowing consumers to evaluate products before making a purchase. Many online stores also provide customer support through various channels such as live chat, email, and FAQs, making it easier for consumers to get assistance when needed.

Disadvantages of E-Commerce

1. Security Concerns:

Despite its many advantages, e-commerce is not without its drawbacks. One of the most significant concerns is security. Online transactions can be vulnerable to fraud, hacking, and identity theft. Consumers must be cautious when entering personal and financial information, and businesses must invest in robust security measures to protect their customers.

Data privacy is another issue. Consumers are often concerned about how their personal information is collected, stored, and used by e-commerce platforms. Ensuring compliance with data protection regulations and maintaining transparent privacy practices are crucial for building and maintaining customer trust.

2. Lack of Physical Interaction:

A major drawback of e-commerce is the lack of physical interaction with products. Unlike in physical stores, where customers can touch, feel, and try items before purchasing, online shopping relies on images and descriptions. This can lead to dissatisfaction if the product does not meet the customer’s expectations or if there are discrepancies between the online representation and the actual item.

Customer service in e-commerce can also be less personal compared to in-store interactions. Resolving issues such as returns, exchanges, or complaints may involve lengthy communication through email or chat, which can be less satisfying than face-to-face interactions.

3. Shipping and Logistics:

Shipping and logistics can present challenges in e-commerce. Delays in delivery, lost or damaged packages, and issues with tracking orders can be frustrating for customers. While many online retailers strive to provide efficient and reliable shipping services, problems can still arise.

Shipping costs can also be a deterrent for some consumers. While some e-commerce platforms offer free shipping, others may charge fees that add to the overall cost of the purchase. Additionally, international shipping can be complicated and expensive, which may limit the appeal of online shopping for cross-border purchases.

4. Technical Problems:

E-commerce platforms are dependent on technology, and technical issues can disrupt the shopping experience. Website downtime, glitches, and errors during the purchasing process can lead to lost sales and customer frustration. Maintaining and updating an e-commerce site requires technical expertise and resources, which can be a challenge for smaller businesses.

5. Returns and Refunds:

Returning items purchased online can be more complicated than returning items to a physical store. The return process may involve shipping the item back to the seller, which can be time-consuming and costly. Some online retailers may charge restocking fees or have specific return policies that customers need to be aware of. These factors can affect customer satisfaction and influence purchasing decisions.

Conclusion

E-commerce has undoubtedly transformed the retail landscape, offering numerous benefits such as convenience, cost-effectiveness, and a wide selection of products. The ability to provide a personalized shopping experience and easy access to information further enhances its appeal. However, the challenges associated with security, lack of physical interaction, shipping logistics, technical issues, and returns cannot be overlooked.

As e-commerce continues to evolve, addressing these disadvantages while leveraging its advantages will be crucial for businesses and consumers alike. For businesses, investing in robust security measures, improving customer service, and optimizing logistics can enhance the overall online shopping experience. For consumers, staying informed and cautious can help mitigate risks and maximize the benefits of e-commerce.

In conclusion, e-commerce represents both an opportunity and a challenge. By understanding its strengths and weaknesses, we can navigate the digital marketplace more effectively and make informed decisions in our online shopping endeavors.

Advantages of E-Commerce

1. Convenience:

2. Cost-Effectiveness:

3. Wide Selection:

4. Personalized Experience:

5. Easy Access to Information:

Disadvantages of E-Commerce

1. Security Concerns:

2. Lack of Physical Interaction:

3. Shipping and Logistics:

4. Technical Problems:

5. Returns and Refunds:

Conclusion

#ecommerce business #e commerce #digital services #marketing #google ads #digital marketing #social media marketing

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willazwq · 4 months ago

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Guide to Boosting Your Cash App Bitcoin Withdrawal Limit

Cash App is a popular choice for buying, selling, and managing Bitcoin due to its user-friendly interface and integrated features. However, many users find themselves constrained by the default withdrawal limits on Bitcoin transactions. If you're looking to increase Cash App Bitcoin withdrawal limit, follow these five simple steps to enhance your trading capabilities.

1. Verify Your Identity

Verifying your identity is a critical step in increasing your Cash App Bitcoin withdrawal limit. This process ensures that your account is secure and compliant with financial regulations.

Step 1: Open the Cash App on your mobile device and tap on the profile icon or the account icon located in the top-right corner of the screen.

Step 2: From the profile menu, navigate to "Personal" and select "Verify Identity."

Step 3: You'll be prompted to upload a photo of your government-issued ID. Ensure the photo is clear and all details are legible.

Step 4: Take a selfie as directed to match the ID photo. This step helps Cash App confirm that you are the person in the ID photo.

Step 5: Submit the required documents and wait for the Cash App to review and approve your verification request. The verification process may take a few hours to a few days. Once completed, your account will be eligible for higher withdrawal limits.

2. Link a Bank Account

Linking a bank account to your Cash App account not only facilitates easier transactions but also enhances your Cash App withdrawal limit.

Step 1: On the Cash App home screen, tap on the "Banking" tab, represented by a bank icon or the "$" symbol.

Step 2: Select "Linked Accounts" or "Add a Bank Account" from the options available.

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to link your bank account. Please provide your bank details and log in to your bank account for verification.

Step 4: Confirm the linking process. This step allows Cash App to securely connect your bank account with your Cash App account, which can positively impact your Bitcoin withdrawal limits.

3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your Cash App account, which is essential for handling higher withdrawal limits.

Step 1: Go to the Cash App home screen and tap on your profile icon.

Step 2: Select "Privacy & Security" from the menu.

Step 3: Tap on "Two-Factor Authentication" and choose your preferred method for receiving authentication codes (e.g., SMS or an authenticator app).

Step 4: Follow the prompts to enable 2FA. You'll need to enter a code sent to your phone or generated by the authenticator app.

Step 5: Once 2FA is activated, Cash App will use this additional security measure to protect your account, which can help in raising your Bitcoin withdrawal limits.

4. Upgrade Your Account to Cash App Pro

Cash App offers different account tiers, and upgrading to Cash App Pro can increase Cash App Bitcoin limit:

Step 1: Tap on the profile icon or account icon in the top-right corner of the Cash App home screen.

Step 2: Select "Settings" and then "Upgrade to Pro" or "Account Upgrade."

Step 3: Follow the instructions to complete the upgrade process. This may involve additional verification steps or providing more detailed personal information.

Step 4: Once upgraded, you'll benefit from higher limits on Bitcoin withdrawals and other enhanced features available to Pro users.

5. Contact Cash App Support

If you've completed the above steps and still face limitations, contacting Cash App support can provide personalised assistance and potentially increase your Bitcoin withdrawal limit.

Step 1: Open the Cash App and tap on the profile icon.

Step 2: Navigate to "Support" and select "Something Else."

Step 3: Choose the option related to Bitcoin limits or transactions.

Step 4: Follow the instructions to contact support. You can send a message or request a call to discuss your needs.

Step 5: Provide any required information and explain your request to increase your Bitcoin withdrawal limit. The support team will review your case and may adjust your limits based on your account history and verification status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the Cash App Bitcoin withdrawal limit?

A1: The default Cash App Bitcoin withdrawal limit is typically set at $2,000 per week. However, this limit can vary based on your account status and verification level.

Q2: How can I increase my Cash App Bitcoin withdrawal limit?

A2: To increase your Bitcoin withdrawal limit, verify your identity, link a bank account, enable Two-Factor Authentication, upgrade to Cash App Pro, or contact Cash App support for assistance.

Q3: What is the Cash App Bitcoin daily withdrawal limit?

A3: The daily withdrawal limit for Bitcoin on Cash App can be up to $2000, but it may vary depending on your account verification level and other factors.

Q4: Are there limits on Cash App Bitcoin purchases?

A4: Yes, Cash App imposes limits on Bitcoin purchases as well. The daily purchase limit is generally set at $10,000, with a weekly limit of $50,000.

Q5: How can I check my current Cash App Bitcoin limits?

A5: You can check your Bitcoin limits by navigating to the Bitcoin section within the Cash App and reviewing your account settings. For specific details, you may also contact Cash App support.

By following these steps, you can increase your Cash App Bitcoin withdrawal limits and enjoy greater flexibility in managing your cryptocurrency transactions.

#Cash App Bitcoin daily withdrawal limit

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fostersffff · 2 years ago

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The Big Gundam Watch, Part 11: Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket

In my experience, when it comes to recommendations for getting into Mobile Suit Gundam, there are three common answers. The most sober- but intimidating- answer is to start with the original 1979 anime or trilogy of compilation movies, and go from there in chronological order. The next best answer is telling the person asking the question to check out whatever they think looks interesting; after all, you're more likely to investigate a franchise further if you have a good first impression. The runner up to these two choices is to recommend The Good OVAs- The 08th MS Team and 0080: War in the Pocket.

The rationale behind recommending these two typically falls along the following lines: they're both relatively short- 12 and 6 episodes respectively, compared to the ~50 episode run of most TV anime- they both look terrific because they're OVAs not beholden to a TV production schedule, and they're more "realistic and grounded", which makes them an easier buy in for people not acquainted with the mecha genre. Personally, I'm not really a fan of this recommendation: for one thing, it makes it sound like they're the only things worth watching, and for another, both are side stories to original series, which I feel implies you should probably check out the original series anyway.

Having now watched War in the Pocket, I can at least understand why it's such a prominent recommendation, and while I still think it's not the best jumping on point, it's certainly one of the best Gundam things I've seen.

THE STUFF I LIKED:

No contest, this is my absolute favorite ED of all the Gundam stories I've watched so far, and I don't think it'll be replaced. It's ultimately just a series of images, but the images are candid photos of everyday life against the backdrop of the One Year War, and the way they include shots that could be from real life, like the photo of the refugees sitting next to their luggage or the kid crying in the middle of the road while soldiers walk by, along with Gundam specific ones like the kid swimming around a scuttled Zaku or a kid looking out the window of a space shuttle to see an explosion is just fucking perfection.

By my count, War in the Pocket only introduces three new mobile suit designs- which makes sense, considering when it takes place- but hot damn are all three of them home runs. The Hygogg is the first amphibious Zeon mobile suit that doesn't look like a joke, the Kampfer feels like the apex of what Zeon mobile suits should look like, and the Gundam Alex is literally the missing link between the RX-78 and the Zeta.

On a similar note: all the mecha fights in War in the Pocket are actually pretty simple, in a way that I think benefits the argument of this being easily recommendable to people as a starting point for Gundam. Like, even as someone who is into mecha, it can be difficult to remember all the different kinds of mechs that show up and what they come equipped with and relative power/threat levels. The Kampfer versus the Alex is a great example: Mischa is a better pilot than Chris, and the Kampfer has seems to have a weapon for basically any situation, but with just the arm-mounted gattling gun, the Alex shreds the Kampfer like tissue paper.

(This is also of course reinforced by the actual story, because it's already obvious from the circumstances that this is a desperation measure, but its worth complimenting how well the mecha aspects are integrated).

Al is perfectly executed petulant shitkid. Not only is the scene of him intentionally destroying everything in his video game perfect foreshadowing, the way he’s just droning “yes mom, yes mom, yes mom” while doing it is such a real shitty kid thing.

I also think his coming to grips with the reality of war is good because of how long it takes, and it takes so long because he’s just constantly in denial. The scene with the dead kid being extracted from the rubble is the most obvious one, but I also really love the scene where his friends are showing him the spoils they picked up from the school being bombed out, and he starts to cry, and the friends are like “hey man don’t feel bad you can come along next time” and he’s either trying to hide it or genuinely doesn’t understand why he’s crying. It’s so good!

In general, all the characters are well-writen and executed, although I want to especially highlight the Cyclops Team. They're all grizzled veteran assholes, but they're not evil, which is my favorite part of Gundam. Or maybe it'd be better to say "not evil beyond what's necessary to do their job as soldiers", but that should be taken for granted.

Ordinarily I don't care about spoilers in these, because they're long form things that you probably wouldn't checking out unless you already saw it yourself, but I'll avoid talking about The Moment in the last episode, because even knowing how everything resolves, finding out why it resolves that way and how casually it's revealed was genuinely heart-wrenching.

THE STUFF I LIKED LESS:

I thought the way the Federation was portrayed in this series was kind of at odds with what we've seen to date, or just weird that we don't see any high-ranking Federation officials. Chris is a white meat babyface, through and through, and that's fine- refreshing, even- but the scene where the cops are grilling her for information and she's trying to stonewall them with "I HAVE NO FURTHER COMMENT AT THIS TIME" doesn't sit right with me. We, the audience, know that she's a good person who's trying to wrestle with the guilt of people being killed as a result of the Federation's covert activities, but in the absence of a face to pin that decision to, it just comes across as a personal struggle for Chris and not institutionalized disregard for human life by the Federation.

Maybe it's intentional, but it's very weird how casual Bernie is when he first meets Al. Like, if I were an inexperienced pilot who got shot down in neutral territory, I'd be scrambling out of my fucking mind to stay hidden, not posing on top of my mech for a cool shot.

Also possibly intentional, but the fact that Bernie swung for the Alex's head in the final confrontation instead of the chest is bizarre. Arguably, Zeon didn't know how the Federation designed their mobile suits, but I don't know why he'd think the cockpit was in the head instead of the chest like his Zaku.

If it's not clear, I'm struggling to put anything here. War in the Pocket is really solid.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS:

I just want to be on record, as this is maybe the most applicable place to put it, that I think the people who turn up their nose at Gundam- or really any media- for having an anti-war message while also having cool spectacle based in war are just dumb.

To my knowledge, War in the Pocket was conceived of entirely as an OVA, so it's strange that it has eyecatches for commercial breaks. Maybe they were in case they ever planned to have them televised?

I think the extent of referencing 0079 is that one of the mechanics working on the Alex says it's going to be shipped out to "someone on White Base", which is the exact level of reference that should be made. No hero worship for Amuro or the Gundam, just "yeah it's supposed to be going out there", which is in line what the general Federation attitude towards White Base at this time.

Circling back to that scene of Al playing the video game: it's just straight-up lifting sound effects from Super Mario Bros. 3. This is notable because SMB3 only came out like six months before the first episode of War in the Pocket, and I'm also not sure how they could have gotten such a clean sound effect at that time.

I swapped over to the dub after I found out Bernie was voiced by David Hayter (best known for Solid Snake), and in general I think this is a stellar of-its-era dub cast- Al is Brianne Siddall (personally best known as Jim Hawking from Outlaw Star), Chris is Wendee Lee, Colonel Killing is Richard Epcar- but special shout-out to Mona Marshall, pulling double duty by using both of her voices, Overbearing Mom and Young Boy Who’s Kind Of A Dick.

On the sub side: I think it’s incredible that Al’s voice actor, Daisuke Namikawa, has become a prolific voice actor to this very day, which makes the commercials he did for the DVD and Blu-ray releases of War in the Pocket where he voices a “grown-up” Al even more affecting:

IN CONCLUSION:

I actually watched War in the Pocket back in March, and I kept putting this off because I was trying to figure out what I could say about this besides "it's good, it's good, it's really very good", but like... that's what it is! War in the Pocket deserves the status it has as one of/the best entries in the Gundam franchise, whether you've never seen a Gundam before or if you've watched everything else to date.

Next up: Mobile Suit Gundam F91! I've actually watched this shortly after I finished watching War in the Pocket, which is another reason this has taken so long. Not to spoil it, but I think my post about F91 is going to be a little more even-handed than this was.

#Gundam #War in the Pocket #Mobile Suit Gundam #Gundam 0080 #The Big Gundam Watch #anime #blu-ray #long post

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