[the_solenoid]

In a perfect world, that makes sense. But, wages have been flat since pretty much the 80's for the vast majority of workers (weather tracking inflation and/or productivity) while common long term investments like housing have become out of reach due to supply issues, brought on by... rich people and companies buying up all the properties and seeking rents (both foreign and domestic), and retirement has moved from pensions to whatever mess we have now.

There is also the huge issue of student loans basically setting back a whole class of people more and more over the years. I have friends who have student debt and very nice paying jobs, but the debt still set back plans for home buying and family planning by 5-10+ years for a lot of them.

[HPsquared]

Just think where we'd be if all that money spent on higher education had instead gone towards housebuilding, we'd all be better off.