MT Small Businesses and the Failure of the American Dream

BUTTE, MT - Montana has been struggling to keep up with the cost of living, the high housing costs, and, as we're finding out, the demand for higher wages. But who are the real losers of this situation?

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Many of you may have answered, "All of us." And you wouldn't be wrong. But as the National Federation of Independent Businesses has recently reported, the answer might lie with Montana's soaring wages and the small businesses that simply can't keep up with them.

Since COVID (and perhaps even before), small businesses are feeling the heat of the changing market. While major corporations flaunt their ever-growing profits, mom-and-pop shops are struggling to fill job openings.

But here’s the kicker: even with these so-called “soaring wages,” workers are still struggling to make ends meet, especially when you throw in record housing costs that outweigh wage increases.

So, what's going on?

The Soaring Wages Dilemma

Small business owners are caught in a classic catch-22. To attract and retain employees, they’re being forced to hike up wages. Sounds great, right? Well, not exactly. These higher wages are slicing into their already thin profit margins, making it tougher to stay afloat and bringing many beloved locally-owned businesses to foreclosure. Many are left wondering how they’ll even survive this wage war.

But here’s the twist: while these wage increases are significant for small business owners, they’re often just a drop in the bucket for employees trying to keep up with skyrocketing living expenses. Housing costs are through the roof here in Montana, and a bump in pay doesn’t always translate to a better quality of life—especially as the cost of living reaches the stratosphere.

The Irony of "Soaring" Wages

Let’s get real for a second. Sure, wages are climbing, but are they really soaring? When you stack them up against the cost of housing, groceries, and the occasional avocado toast, it’s clear that many workers are still treading water. It’s like being handed a slightly bigger umbrella in a hurricane—it might help a bit, but you’re still getting drenched.

So, wages can steadily climb all they want, but it's been reported how they simply aren't keeping up with the cost of virtually everything else.

The Real "Losers"

In this battle of survival, it’s the small businesses that are taking the biggest hit economically. Unlike big corporations that can absorb the costs, small businesses operate on razor-thin margins. They’ve been called the backbone of our communities, but with every wage hike, their load gets heavier and more unbearable. Many are being forced to make tough decisions, from cutting hours to hiking prices, just to keep their heads above water.

And to those who answered "All of us," to the first question: you're right. When our country's small businesses fail, we all fail. (Not to sound too dramatic, but one could argue that even the American Dream itself fails.)

The Bottom Line

Small businesses are in a tight spot, juggling the need to offer competitive wages while trying to stay profitable. And while these wage increases might look impressive on paper, they’re often not enough to offset the relentless rise in living costs. So, seriously: who are the real losers in this scenario? It’s a toss-up between the small business owners fighting to survive and the workers still struggling to make ends meet.

So next time you hear about "soaring wages," take it with a grain of salt. Because in the grand scheme of things, it’s clear that we’re all still playing catch-up.