The cost of living – and recreation – keep going up. What is our leadership doing about it?
Inflation is rising steadily. Years of trickle-down economics have created a system in which the rich get richer, and the rest of us continue to pay for it. Outdoor recreation, our primary escape from the rat race, is becoming harder and harder to access for many.
People are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living. Add to it the rising cost of healthcare. How many of us carry medical debt? Even with supposed good insurance, I’m making monthly payments ($300) towards an over $10,000 balance from a shoulder repair surgery and dental bills. The funny thing is that I feel “lucky”. For some its even worse – they can’t even afford healthcare. And what about the rising cost of housing? With the help of my parent, I was able to put a down payment on a house in Portland in 2017. However, my mortgage has risen multiple times as new taxes and levies are added. In addition, my home is determined to have more value each year, which increases my tax liability even more. The problem is that I’m not making more, but less.
The Big Picture: Recreation Is Becoming a Luxury
Rising taxes. Fees, fees, and more fees. Everything costs money now. If you enjoy outdoor recreation and a range of outdoor activities, it’ll cost you.
The Permit Stack
Sports like mountain biking, skiing, hiking, camping, paddleboarding, boating, etc can be expensive with the costs of equipment. But then there are the additional costs of permits and passes required…