In your opinion, what, if anything, should be done to make a US middle-class lifestyle more affordable?

"Sliding scale assistance. We’re in the process of first time home buying and the only assistance or low-down payment programs are available for very poor folks because we don’t qualify at all even though we’re working harder than ever."

• "Healthcare remains a ridiculous drag on American households. We should use the collective power of government to bring down health care costs. There really should be no such thing as health insurance-as it’s just a way to make money off a needed expense. We should treat health care companies as utilities with strict regulations.Most providers should be contracted directly with the government. Many “middlemen “ companies (prescription managers) should simply be put out of business as their business practices would be illegal. If every household could cut their healthcare expenses by 75%, that would be a huge benefit for lower and middle class people."

"People wonder why young people aren't having kids anymore. I'd warrant that a large part of that is because of how unaffordable it is when you're starting out now. Most young people can't afford a house, car, groceries, and children. I guess I would start by saying there could be incentives for ALL first time home buyers people, not just particular groups. I'm not sure what can be done about the cost of groceries or child care, but it could be supplemented. Somethings got to give."

• "I think that monitoring abuses by corporations that take advantage of the financial situation are needed. Grocery stores are price gouging, home owners and landlords are raising prices because some people can pay for it, and the oil industry keeps gas prices high even though they are making large profits."

"First, inflation is not tamed. The rate may have turned slightly but prices have not. it's a misleading metric. survey folks leaving the grocery store and they'll tell you. If you want the middle class more affordable, we need to stop bifurcating the wealth in this country. let everyone pay an equal amd fair share in taxes and you won't demonize the wealthy or oppress the lower income earners. With a fair incentive to work, fewer government handouts will be needed or abused. with less free money floating around, cost of goods will come down."

• "Corporations should NOT be allowed to purchase single family homes. The number of homes owned by Blackrock and the like are forcing American families to rent in perpetuity. There needs to be regulation around purchasing homes for profit, and there needs to be legislation that forces for-profit corporations to sell existing the existing homes they own. Between these large corporations and AirBNB/short term rentals, the number of homes that are left for the rest of us are driven up in cost because of such high demand."

"Term limits on politicians, no lifetime exclusions or benefits for them, they would have to comeback into the workforce and live with the benefits or consequences of the actions they took while in office. Standard income tax rate for EVERYONE, business, private, personal ; NO EXCEPTIONS, NO WRITE OFFS. IE: 10%You make a dollar you pay ten cents, you make ten dollars you pay a dollar. Constitutional Amendment regarding spending tax money United States Citizens First take care of our Veterans, Seniors, Disaster Victims before any other country. Mandatory 2 years of service for our country for EVERY citizen when they become 18 either in the military or public service. Build back a sense of ownership, responsibility, fairness, and consequence."