> To your point, the issues plaguing the US ( and indeed the world ) have not changed that much over the past four decades. Inside the US, this sounds wrong bo

> To your point, the issues plaguing the US ( and indeed the world ) have not changed that much over the past four decades. Inside the US, this sounds wrong both anecdotally and from the data. I'd argue the cost of "living" has gone up quite substantially. Since 1980 rent has risen 140% and incomes 20%[0]. Anecdotally, in the 1970s it was entirely possible to live in an acceptable city or suburb on part-time work, and you could have your own apartment on minimum wage. You might not have nice things but I know many people who spent their 20s very comfortably like this not worrying about how to afford living. (having a family on this budget was not feasible, but that's another thing) Conversely today I don't know anyone making less than less than 40k/yr who is not constantly stressing about food costs and how they'll make rent. [0] https://www.realestatewitch.com/rent-to-income-ratio-2022/ https://www.realestatewitch.com/rent-to-income-ratio-2022/