[DrVenture]

Government and FED policies are universal. They impact everyone in similar financial strata the exact same way.

As an example, I have a friend who constantly laments that he would be doing so much better, "if it weren't for the lousy public school system". I ask him, "Was there anyone, at all, in his same class and school and family situation who did really well?"
His answer is, "Sure, of course". I then ask, "Why not you, then?".

Similarly, government and FED policy affect all middle-class average families the same exact way. If some measurable percentage of them are doing very well, then the differences must be in the individuals choices and life decisions. But, no one wants to hear that they may be personally responsible for their own circumstances, particularly when those circumstances are not favorable. They will take full credit when the opposite is true, though.

Here is the rub: accepting that one is personally responsible (generally speaking) for their own outcome is the key to success. It is what enables an individual to take full control of their life. You cannot change what others will do. But, you can alter your own trajectory. Or at least that is how I choose to approach life and financial success.