Dear editor:
I'm writing to point out an often overlooked consequence of our current economy: the high cost of housing, rent, gas, and basic necessities is actively destroying the local dating scene.
In Gillette, the economic squeeze is transforming romance into a business transaction.
It feels as though dating has become entirely about socioeconomic survival rather than genuine connection.
High income and wealth are consistently prioritized over stability and character, and frankly, that isn't right.
This isn't a joke, nor is it a "me problem." It's an economic problem.
When everyday expenses - from inflated fuel costs to skyrocketing rent- place an unbearable burden on everyday households, it forces people to make harsh, practical choices simply to get by.
Unfortunately, those choices are spilling over into our romantic lives.
We need to start an honest community conversation about how the cost-of-living crisis is changing our culture and isolating working-class residents who are simply trying to build a future.
Sincerely,
Kevin McNutt, Gillette
