3 months ago
- The author bought a home after 20 years of disciplined saving, but had to relocate from Chicago to an affordable rural town, questioning why they cannot afford a city home.
- Homeownership is a key wealth-building tool; homeowners have vastly higher net worth than renters, yet rising prices and investor purchases make it increasingly inaccessible.
- Productivity has grown significantly since 1979, but wage growth has lagged, with gains going to executives, shareholders, and corporate profits instead of typical workers.
- White-collar job postings and salaries have stagnated or declined, with many workers facing salary cuts when switching jobs, reflecting a broader economic shift.
- Healthcare in the U.S. is costly and inefficient, with high premiums, frequent claim denials, and barriers to care, leading to medical debt and worsened health outcomes.
- Retirement security has eroded as pensions have been replaced by 401(k)s, leaving many with minimal savings, while costs like housing and healthcare consume income.
- Childcare costs have surged, often exceeding rent, and combined with student debt and housing expenses, strain family budgets even with dual incomes.
- The 'Great Detachment' describes widespread worker disengagement, driven by broken employer contracts, stagnant wages, and rational responses to unfair systems.
- Comparisons with other developed nations show the U.S. lacks public supports like affordable healthcare, childcare, and paid leave, exacerbating worker demoralization.
- The demoralization is a rational recognition of a broken social contract, leading to adjustments like relocating or reducing expectations, with no easy solutions in sight.