This is the reality that American media obfuscates. Movies, TV, the news… they all depict the “default” American as basically doing fine financially. Everyone is “middle class” at worst. Everyone has a decently large house, a newer car (usually a SUV) for every adult, goes on vacations, eats out, and is generally free from material precariousness. And for the middle class in America, this is more or less reality.

This appearance of the “default” middle class American is so pervasive that everyone, including the working class, believes it.

The issue is, this middle class American is NOT the “default”. Most Americans have less than $1,000 saved and are ruined by just one severe economic shock like losing employment. The family depicted here is far closer to being the median American than what you see in media. It may not seem like a big deal but I honestly believe this is one of the most effective weapons in preventing class consciousness that is out there.