Why Americans hate the "good" economy

While the U.S. economy looks healthy on paper—unemployment is low, GDP is growing—Americans are increasingly pessimistic about their finances. A new Democratic initiative called the Kitchen Table Project is trying to explain the disconnect. Their research shows that aggregate inflation has slowed, but everyday essentials—food, gas, health care—remain expensive and volatile. A median-income family of four, even with recent wage increases, finds their monthly budgets aren't stretching as far. More than half of survey respondents cited beef costs as their biggest grocery concern, driven by droughts, industry consolidation, tariffs, and cattle disease. According to economic adviser Lael Brainard, the real stress comes from items people buy frequently and unpredictably. The Democrats say they'll develop specific affordability policies in the coming months, hoping to offer lawmakers actionable solutions heading into an election year.

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