How many people today are burdened with "hard labor" being paid only a living wage? This is no different than what we would call "slavery".

I am not sure I would go that far. I am a big believer in taking my freedom by sheer will. Everyone is free to start a business and compete for their clientele. I have worked jobs in the past, but most of my livelihood has been earned as an entrepreneur.

Slavery comes when someone has a whip and can cause pain for non-compliance. Those days are coming back in the 2020's sadly. The whips that they are using are of the nano scale.