text: The comment by Dennis Harris is exactly right.  Since 1970, the median household income in America has increased by only about $10,000, while the inflation-adjusted cost of living has increased six-fold.  In real terms the average wage peaked more than 40 years ago: the $4.03-an-hour rate recorded in January 1973 has the same purchasing power as $22.41 does today.  This means that today, on average, the standard of living of a household with both parents working in 2015 is less than the standard of living of a household with one parent working in 1970.  So, while my wife and I raised our kids without government-funded child care, I don't begrudge providing it to those less fortunate who really need it.  If Congress would simply increase the tax rate on large corporations, large estates, and those millionaires and billionaires whose income is in the top 1%, federal/state governments could provide an incredible range of social services without increasing the burden on the middle class.