@Mxhrad @tob @scalzi

I think the proliferation of the gig economy would disagree with you

Edit: so would statistics regarding wage stagnation vs inflation. I don't know how you could say there's no economic hardship unless you're extremely out of touch.

@tob @VATVSLPR @scalzi

Doesn't that illustrate the issue though? Many people can't afford a reasonable downpayment on a house right now, and if you're rooted in one of these towns, you can't just sell your house to get the money because there's no demand.

(Recently this dynamic changed a bit with WFH, but now employers are largely walking that back)

@VATVSLPR @tob @scalzi

(Also the tithes some of these churches require for membership are insane)

@tob @VATVSLPR @scalzi

Yeah I'd agree. As a Christian myself, one of the things that really bugs me is this trend where some Christians try to martyr themselves because no one is actually martyring them, and they think it's the same thing. It's fueled by an anxiety that they cannot live up to our ideals I think. It's also an easy thing to exploit if you're, say, a mega-pastor who would like a third yaght and need people to mobilize against taxation.

@VATVSLPR @tob @scalzi

The economy isn't better. Most Americans can't put up cash for an emergency. The stock market isn't reflective of how well off most people are, especially in rural areas that don't receive a lot of oversight OR assistance. Things are actively getting worse for the majority of us.