Turns out the American middle class didn’t die. It got richer—and felt poorer
There’s a peculiar kind of vertigo that comes with being an affluent American in 2026. You’ve made it. By nearly every historical metric, you are living in spectacular abundance. You have a six-figure income, a retirement account, a nice car. And yet something feels wrong — crowded, competitive, precarious. The airport lounge is too full….