I agree, the US could be headed that way despite official claims. In my area I see no signs of progress. I think the cost of our infrastructure breaking down (roads, sewers, etc.) nationwide will be crippling. The topic of wages caught my eye in the Forbes article:
"...This may explain, in part, that while the overall increase in jobs is high, the average hourly earnings rose only 0.2% from the prior month. The average worker earnings rose a meager 6 cents to $27.77 an hour."
He says 31% of adults participate as gig, temp, and contract workers which has effects on the economy, job market, and employment figures:
"For a corporation, it is easier and less expensive to hire a contractor instead of a permanent employee with costly benefits. This trend depresses wages. If an employee demands more money, the company can let that person go and bring in a replacement who is a contractor. Why should a corporation have to worry about paying social security, payroll taxes and offer vacation and sick days when they could save a fortune by going with an outside consultant? These consultants don’t have long-term contracts nor are they afforded collective bargaining by being part of a union. They will race to the bottom by asking for lower rates just to get the gig before another person is offered the opportunity."
$27.77 may be the average but it says nothing about the # workers who make below that. It sounds insane to outsiders but even $27/hr, with housing, transportation, food, etc. it's difficult to support a family. There are multiple threads on this subject- the US is crumbling. The divide between rich and poor is the greatest in the world. The bankers' cheery forecasts make no sense to someone living in reality.