The pivot towards worker-centric economic policies emerged as a response to the challenges faced by the American working class, particularly after the losses in 2016. This approach shifts the focus away from consumer-centric frames and the benefits of global trade, raising skepticism about whether the worker-centric frame adequately addresses broader societal issues. While the negative impacts of global trade, like the 'China shock', are acknowledged, they do not fully encapsulate the various challenges confronting the working class. The conditions of life for working-class Americans encompass multiple dimensions that extend beyond the availability of traditional blue-collar jobs. As such, simplifying the issues facing the working class to just employment opportunities may overlook critical factors influencing their circumstances, revealing potential missteps in the strategies advocated by the Democratic Party and progressive movements.