in 1976 40% of all jobs did not pay a middle class salary.

In 2026, a "middle class salary" would not support a family of four.

I believe Kruse is a history prof at Princeton. To call an opinion “nonsense” and then take advantage of different related but not determinative sets of statistics tells me that someone is more interested in advocating a position rather than joining the search for truth. I’m guessing the position advocated is that young people are comparing generational differences in affordability based on nothing but their naivety, mental health failings, or stupidity.. Obviously, many young people on social media have overstated the ease which most lived in the olden days, but how about we put a finer point on the facts rather than defend our positions no matter what facts may come. Adversarial positions have their place, but they are opinion establishes rather than truth finders. Let’s not pretend they are not.
I know I chime in a bit much at the the use of terms like nonsense, ridiculous, hysteria, naivety, disillusioned by the more traditionally educated, but it’s amazing that those that have more facts at hand tend to name call then dissemble. I chime in because I already know establishment positions on most topics and I’d like to help make room for other voices without the views being rejected out of hand. I don’t know if it’s because it gets them more engagement or if it’s because it’s a lot easier than actually arguing for your position. Witness the repost without comment in OP. Bazinga, I guess?

An average new car in 2001 was $21k. It's now $39k. Our wages haven't come close to keeping up. Yes, I know... new features, safer than ever, last longer than ever, more efficient than ever, etc... so much win! But, I'm not arguing value per dollar spent, I'm arguing flow of dollars into consumer wallets to obtain that wonderful panacea of value. It isn't there and cars are just one of many things.

We need to find a way to detach from what came before. It was never really intended to benefit us directly, just a minority of those and their's who were experiencing life as it was built. Clearly, whatever has worked, isn't being worked anymore, from antitrust, to media, to social programs, etc...

We need a new, New Deal!