The competitive forces at lower segments of the market determine the overall economy. The people who serve you 4.50$ cups of coffee can't afford to drink them.

The competitive forces at lower segments of the market determine the overall economy. The people who serve you 4.50$ cups of coffee can't afford to drink them. When your gig-level job can't pay for 4.5$ coffee, you'll switch to lower segment too, and 4.5$ coffee becomes a luxury for a shrinking minority.