As of the end of 2023, the typical U.S. worker could afford the same goods and services as in 2019, prior to the pandemic, and had an additional $1,400 to spend or save per year, according to a January analysis by Treasury officials.

Demar Byas of Pontiac, Michigan referred to experts touting the nation’s economic performance as a “slap in the face.”

“You’re celebrating these numbers, but we are struggling,” said Byas, who juggles several jobs to make ends meet. “It’s no relief in sight, and just say those numbers and to celebrate that, and as I said stuff becomes a slap in the face.”

  • hydrospanner@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    Tell us you don’t understand macroeconomic statistics without telling us you…ah you get the idea.

    The crux of the issue here is that “the economy” as Yellen is concerned with it, is not “the economy” as that rando from Michigan is concerned with it.

    Not that either is more or less correct, they’re just different.

    Yellen always sounds tone deaf though and they really shouldn’t put her in front of a hot mic as much as they do. She’s not wrong in the things she’s saying…but without context and careful speech-crafting, it always lands as “Let them eat financial cake.”

    • Kyrgizion@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      “Let them eat financial cake.”

      Lol, this is unambiguously the message they’re sending, and they dropped all subtlety.