Cost of Living, Housing & Economy
Cost-of-Living Squeeze
Prices stayed high after the 2021–23 inflation spike, even as inflation cooled.
The left bubble
“Corporations used inflation as cover to gouge us, while paychecks never caught up.”
What this side feels
- •Frustration that record profits and price hikes arrived together
- •A sense that ordinary workers are squeezed while CEOs cash in
- •Anxiety over groceries, rent, and childcare eating the whole paycheck
- •Anger that wages always seem to be the last thing to rise
Why it feels true
Shaped by headlines about record corporate profits and 'shrinkflation,' alongside paychecks that don't stretch like they used to. The feed rewards stories of greed, so 'greedflation' feels like the whole explanation.
The right bubble
“Washington printed and spent trillions, overheated the economy, and we're all paying for it.”
What this side feels
- •A sense that reckless federal spending devalued the dollar
- •Frustration that savings and fixed incomes lost ground
- •Belief that government, not business, lit the fire
- •Distrust of officials who called inflation 'transitory'
Why it feels true
Shaped by the timing: huge stimulus bills, then the worst inflation in 40 years. The feed serves the $1.9T figure next to gas-price screenshots, so cause and effect feel obvious and total.
Common ground
Almost everyone wants the same thing: a paycheck that comfortably covers the basics, and prices that are stable and predictable enough to plan a life around.
Solutions on the table
Boost supply, not just demand
Cut red tape on housing, energy, and shipping so more goods and homes ease price pressure at the root.
Honest, independent data
Protect the independence of inflation and wage statistics so families and policymakers can trust the numbers.
Target relief where it bites
Aim help at childcare, groceries, and housing — the costs that hit working budgets hardest — without reigniting broad inflation.
Guard competition
Enforce antitrust where consolidation genuinely lets firms raise prices, so markets discipline costs.
Now make your voice count
Pursue policies that lower costs by expanding supply and protecting competition, without reigniting inflation.
Take action
Who to contact: Your U.S. House member and Senators (monetary and fiscal policy are federal)
Your call script
Hi, my name is ___ and I live in [City]. Inflation has cooled to under 3%, but prices are still far above where they were in 2020, and my family feels it every week. I'm asking [Representative/Senator] to focus on lowering costs by expanding the supply of housing and energy and protecting competition, rather than measures that would push prices back up. Thank you for your time.