Workers' share of income explains why many Americans are down on the economy

- This CBS News piece (likely from late 2023 or 2024) covers the "labor share of income" — the portion of total economic output that goes to workers as wages and benefits, versus what goes to corporate profits and capital owners. - The labor share in the U.S. has been declining for decades and is now near its lowest level since World War II. This means a growing share of the economic pie is flowing to investors and shareholders rather than to workers. - The article argues this trend is a key reason why many Americans feel pessimistic about the economy even when headline indicators like GDP growth, unemployment, and stock market performance look strong — a phenomenon sometimes called a "vibecession." - The decline is attributed to factors such as automation, globalization, declining union power, and changes in corporate governance that prioritize shareholder returns over worker compensation. - This context is critical for understanding the gap between official economic statistics and lived experience for many workers.