The Rapid Decline of the Middle Class Could Collapse America Within a Decade

Why is the middle class shrinking, and what does that mean for the future of the economy?

In this episode, host Erika Barker unpacks the hidden forces driving wealth concentration, economic stagnation, and rising inequality—using data science, historical trends, and financial metrics to explain what’s really happening.

One key indicator is flashing a red warning light: the velocity of money—a measure of how quickly cash moves through the economy. Since 1997, it has dropped by 38%, signaling a shift in how wealth is distributed. But why is money pooling at the top? And what does this mean for inflation, wages, financial stability, and democracy itself?

Key Topics Covered:
✔️ The Velocity of Money—what it means and why it matters more than GDP.
✔️ How data science and economic modeling reveal deeper financial trends.
✔️ The middle-class decline—why wages aren’t keeping up with wealth accumulation.
✔️ The role of AI and automation in shaping the future of jobs and labor markets.
✔️ Historical parallels: What happened when wealth concentrated in Ancient Rome, the Gilded Age, and pre-revolutionary France—and how those lessons apply today.

What happens when the economy slows down—not just in GDP, but in the movement of money itself? The answer holds major implications for society, government, and financial stability.

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