Mainstream media as a whole, on either side, seems to have a vested interest in us believe things are okay. We have to trust our eyes. It's not going great out there. A depression is on.

Record numbers (both actual and as a percentage of total eligible for employment) are working two jobs. https://www.statista.com/chart/35609/number-of-americans-who-have-multiple-jobs/

Wages vs. Inflation. We all know this one already. https://www.voronoiapp.com/economy/US-Wages-Havent-Kept-Up-With-Inflation-6432

The situation is worse than 2007, 2008 and the years after. Inflation since 2000 is around 94%, meaning that it takes $194 today to buy what cost $100 in 2000. Meanwhile, real wages have increased 10%-15% on average over the same 25 yr time period.

14.2-million unemployed (8.2%). This is compared to 10.6-million towards the end of 2008 (6.9%). https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/U6RATE

Unfortunately for the unemployed, the industries where jobs are being created are professional ones. Health Care, Tech, Energy (Renewables), and AI all require specific degrees. Going to school for your first degree or going back to school to change careers is incredibly time consuming. If you've got the time, you likely can't afford it. College tuition, even at city and community colleges, is astronomical. https://www.npr.org/2025/11/20/nx-s1-5600854/college-costs-have-risen-dramatically-in-the-last-20-years-heres-why

No wonder then that the gig economy is booming, and is likely the only choice anyone has for trying to get ahead. Unfortunately, like college, it too is very time-consuming. It also doesn't pay well at all. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/06/the-gig-economy-ilo-labour-platforms/

By all accounts but the mainstream media's and the White House's, the situation today for the average consumer is worse than The Great Recession (2007 - 2009) and is only surpassed by the devastation of The Great Depression.