In the bustling metropolis of New York City, where life’s every move seems to have a price tag attached, residents find themselves ensnared yet again by the cleverly disguised snares of inflation. Thanks to the ever-clever genius behind recent policies, food delivery has moved from a simple convenience to a financial hurdle for everyday New Yorkers. An alleged increase in tipping seems to be the center of this new storm, but as it turns out, the man behind the curtain isn’t quite who he claims to be.

There has been boasting about the rise in tips for food delivery workers, declaring that tens of millions of dollars have magically flowed back into workers’ pockets. It sounds rather gallant, doesn’t it? Except, the truth lays elsewhere. The reality is that this change is due to some legislation passed before the current administration. This legislation was designed to aid workers through default tipping options on delivery apps, like Uber Eats and Door Dash. However, all that glitters isn’t quite gold, as anyone analyzing the situation can clearly see.

Let’s be clear-eyed about what this legislation actually does: it hands yet another burden to consumers already struggling under the weight of excessive fees and taxes on these delivery apps. Where’s the blame for the skyrocketing costs that transform a $14 burrito into a $27 feast? Shouldn’t there be an address to this stunning math that never seems to add up in favor of the buyer? Instead, the government has chosen to applaud itself for supposedly alleviating financial burdens, when all it’s done is shovel them into an ever-deepening pit disguised as generosity.

The convoluted math behind these increases crosses into lunacy. Users are nudged to extend tips based on the final price, which is some sort of creative accounting gone off the rails. By the time they factor in all the extra charges, users have already had their wallets vacuumed with barely a savory morsel to show for it. Each bite of the ostensibly budget-friendly burrito comes with a side serving of regret once the receipt rolls in. The confusion only grows while some take credit for a policy they had no hand in crafting, painting themselves as heroes despite their role being absent from the action.

Eagerness to bask in undeserved limelight highlights a troubling trend among some modern-day leaders—a mirage of achievement to distract from the inadequacies and discomforts their constituents genuinely face. Rather than addressing the blatant inflation that presses down like a hefty, uneaten meal, there is a choice to revel in imaginary accolades. One can only hope New Yorkers, wise and resilient as they are, see through this illusion and demand true accountability and relief, not just a token tip on an already inflated check.