The Arrogant Independent

Then and Now… Why Can’t They Just Eat Cake?

For 50 years, wages in America have stagnated while the cost of living has soared. Housing, healthcare, and education have all outpaced earnings, leaving most families with little or nothing left to invest for retirement.

Yet when people struggle to save, we often hear the same dismissive response: “Why don’t they just budget better?” or “Skip the coffee, buy the house.”

This is the modern-day version of Marie Antoinette’s infamous phrase: “Let them eat cake.” It shifts blame onto workers while ignoring structural realities — wages not keeping up, disappearing pensions, and rising costs that make even basic survival a challenge.

The truth is, most Americans aren’t failing to budget — they’re budgeting to survive.

🎙️ Listen to the podcast episode:

📄 Read the full report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TmnqZOlYVFdRd445quHcdQ-1E6s9P1Op/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111018917453627434082&rtpof=true&sd=true

———————

💬 What do you think? Is the system stacked against workers, or is this just a matter of personal responsibility? Share your perspective below.