Rudimentary algebra can be understood by an average student at the 7th or 8th grade level. You don't have to go nuts on the subject or deep into the weeds. But a basic understanding of algebra gives a student a basic understanding of abstract thinking, and a leg up in science courses as well. If a kid fails algebra, that's a tell that the kid should be channeled down the arithmetic path and not the calculus path.
We don't have a lack of native-born American engineers because "math is too hard," we have a lack of native-born American engineers because we've had a generation or two of squishy curricula that put more emphasis on feeling good about one's self than it did on learning stuff. And, quite frankly, at least in the computing world, we have a lack of native-born American software engineers because we imported a sh*t-ton of our western Asian friends because they were cheaper.
We have raised generations of children without proper math skills, and they sign up for exotic mortgages that they will not be able to afford, get into serious credit card debt, and cannot tell you what is a better deal: a six pack of beer for 4.79, (0.66 per oz), or a 24 pack for 19.87, (0.83 per can). Like my husband says, it's a tax on stupid people.
BTW, I have found that about 10 percent of those shelf stickers have the wrong price per each, making them unusable for price comparison.