It's not as good, in relative terms, as we'd like but it's pretty good. It's as least as good as the mid-1990s for most people. Objects may be closer in the mirror than they appear and your mileage may vary, but that's how I see it, and I think most Americans do, too.
When a country accepts as many immigrants, legal and illegal as we do, these people need shelter and employment. The only ones who can provide it are what you and I would call the middle class.
The middle class in America is losing their jobs to the methods I described and having to go back to work at jobs which pay less than they previously held.
The middle class in America are the one with assets that can be traded for cash.
The result in this is that there is probably, in total outlay, the same amount of money being paid in wages but now it is divided amongst a continually increasing group which means that your personal income has dropped and will continue to drop.
When I say 'you' or 'your', I am not speaking of any particular individual but the group as a whole. Some will incur tragic losses while other will maintain, a few may even progress.
Which of the three are you and your family in?
You have set yourself aside from most Americans, simply because you are willing to discuss problems, current events and think. You are not a 'sheeple'! By doing this you will continually become more aware of the little differences in people, problems and solutions.
Political parties, local and state governments, want 'sheeple' who will not question what they are doing. "Just get in line and we will give you your medicine. Everything will be fine, don't worry" is basically what all of them say.
It was enjoyable talikng with you.
Take care.