Quiet thoughts

```
Debt, economic decline, immigration; hippies, anti-government, freedom.
At the end of the 1980s, a wave of change encompassed a country boy from the Rust Belt.
As the gate for upward mobility was on the verge of closing, he struggled to move forward.
College, Silicon Valley, entrepreneurship; HP, Apple, Microsoft.
To become part of the 1%, or even 0.1%, he sacrificed a lot, but also gained a lot.
```

American History 1988

"Last year was both an ordinary and a transformative year for Youngstown," Kent, dressed in a white shirt paired with a red tie, spoke confidently into the microphone.


"The only remaining steel mill in Youngstown is still on its last legs, and the economy shows no signs of improvement. Most workers living in the city have now gone north to Packard Electric in Warren City, where several large factories remain.


But the fact that fewer and fewer people choose to stay in Youngstown has led to a growing number of vacant houses in the city."


Everyone present was well aware of the realities Kent had described.


"So, as the number of empty houses increases, does that mean the rent should go down?" Kent quickly dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand before anyone could answer, "No! As long as there is demand, rent will not decrease."


Chapter 36: The Smile of Capital