Marxism, what you got?

[Spongebob]

I think that income disparity is a dangerous state of affairs. Not sure about "being better off in the mid 20th Century." (Maybe. I'm no economist.) A strong middle class creates stability, that's for sure. But I think capitalism is good only insofar as it serves the working class.

Capitalism does serve the working class by fulfilling its consumerist desires. And that's important... something centrally planned economies struggle with. But I also think the working class needs more than its consumerist desires fulfilled. Healthcare, education, stable living environment. Capitalism leaves many people out in the cold as far as these go.

I don't think comparing say, 1960 to 2021 is exact math but the general consensus is that workers are worse off now in several categories:  Wage stagnation, buying power, cost of higher education, ability to afford medical care just to name a few.  In 1960 a household of 3 people could be easily sustained by one worker doing a low skilled job.  That's not really possible anymore unless you adhere to a very strict regime of spending.  Another way to look at it is the cost index of basic items like a home, automobile, utilities...etc.  All have increase far more than the average wage.  There may be some exceptions to this of course.

Of course I don't want someone to go off on a tangent and start ranting about the rampant consumerism of today, which I agree is a factor.  The proliferation of technology makes the comparison more difficult because we all utilize far more technological consumer goods today than our 1960 counterpart did.  No one needs a flat screen TV in every room of the house, for instance.  But some technologies have become essentials of living.  An Internet connection is far more than a luxury now; it's pretty close to being a necessity.

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If you live in America, things will not change. And yes, absolutely yes, many Americans have convinced themselves everything is malevolent chaos, but everything is actually fine.

Just how old are you?  I have seen significant change in my lifetime and if I look back to my grandfather's time, the change is profound.  What makes you say "everything is actually fine?"  Data please.