What explains negativity about a good economy? Partisanship is surely a factor: Republicans’ assessment of the current economy roughly matches what it was in June 1980, when unemployment was twice as high and inflation four times as high as they are now. Beyond that, the events of the past few years — not just inflation and higher interest rates but also the disruption Covid caused to everyone’s lives, and perhaps the sense that America is coming apart politically — may have engendered a sourness, an unwillingness to acknowledge good news even when it happens.

Interesting option from the article.

So, it might be more “everything is falling apart or not the same” type of thinking. Could explain it and wouldn’t surprise me.

Everything does seem different after COVID at least. Things don’t feel the same even years after.