Struggling in the Land of Plenty
As a U.S. citizen living in Texas, I never imagined that I would be grappling with financial insecurity despite being considered middle class. But here I am, along with so many others, struggling to keep my head above water. For the past three years, my family and I have faced a financial crisis that seems unrelenting.
I’m actively job-hunting, but in the meantime, I Uber for income. My mother, who receives disability payments, is our other source of income. Yet even with both of us contributing, we’re barely scraping by. Every time I apply for assistance—whether it’s food stamps, housing support, or any other program—I’m denied for reasons that feel arbitrary and senseless.
And it’s not just me. Across the U.S., millions are struggling with rising costs, stagnant wages, and a growing sense of economic despair. The government tells us that inflation is under control, that the economy is recovering, but for those of us on the ground, it feels like a different world entirely. Rent is skyrocketing, groceries are more expensive than ever, and basic necessities now come with a heavy price tag.
How did we get here?
Inflation is supposed to be a temporary thing, right? But the cost of living keeps increasing. Gas prices fluctuate, groceries inch upward, and housing—whether buying or renting—feels out of reach for so many. Wages haven’t kept up. What used to be affordable on a middle-class income is now unattainable. And when you try to get help, the system is often so broken that you're met with rejection, even when you desperately need support.
Leadership Disconnect
It’s as if our country’s leaders are living in a bubble, unaware or worse, uninterested in the struggles everyday Americans face. Politicians throw out talking points about economic recovery, but many are so far removed from the daily grind that they don’t see how bad things have gotten for people like us.
They say the job market is booming. But where are those jobs? I’m looking. Thousands of others are too. And while some industries may be hiring, they aren’t offering the pay or stability needed to thrive in today’s America.
We Need Real Solutions
It’s time for our leaders to stop being out of touch and start focusing on real solutions. The middle class shouldn’t be teetering on the edge of poverty. People shouldn’t have to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet. And families like mine shouldn’t have to rely on Uber gigs and disability checks to survive.
America is supposed to be the land of opportunity, but for many of us, it feels more like a land of obstacles. It’s time for change.
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