26 June 2023
Two conservatives debate whether Americans are better off now. Oren Cass argues that the cost of thriving has surged, leading to a 36% decline in living standards since 1985. Scott Winship disagrees, claiming it is easier to thrive today with lower taxes and improved inflation measures. Financial stress, living paycheck to paycheck, and the disappearance of affordable housing add to the negative outlook. The generational burden of debt and the inability to start families exacerbate the situation.