There was an immigrant friend of the family who during the Bush era (this was during what I would call the 'height' of the Muslim panic), who basically made the argument to me that even with all the hate, all the war-mongering, all the bullshit, that the US was the best country in the world. When we pressed him for why, his argument was basically, "The McDonald's Dollar menu".

This is decades ago, but his argument was that in-spite of everything else, he knew that in Amercica, at least his children would not starve, because they would always be able to afford 'something', however unhealthy, from the dollar menu.

I don't think that America exists any more.

Fast food isn't a luxury. A luxury is something extravagant, high quality, and highly enjoyable. Fast food is simply an overpriced disappointment.

Or you know... Food in general is a luxury now.

Next step... Americans to view food as a luxury

This feels like they're implying it's a luxury like a lambo when it's more so a luxury like an extra piece of cake. Just because people are realizing they shouldn't eat out every night doesn't mean it's "luxurious" to got to BK. It's an unnecessary expense, that's all.

Well yeah, that shit's expensive.

This is what sparks the franchise wars that demolition man predicted.

I mean, I know their economy is falling apart. But good, those fuckers need to lose some damn weight. Australia too, per Capita we're now one of the fattest countries on Earth.

USA has only succeeded in exports twice, number 1 being war, number 2 being obesity.

My wife and I were running around doing errands and stopped for a quick lunch at Carl's Jr.

$25(!) For 2 people! At Carl's Jr!

How long before Wendy's is a lunch time stock market?

But rest assured, capitalism is the only successful model and every instance of socialism has failed in human history. /s

I hope it makes us healthier.

When you can go to Aldi or Costco and get 10x the volume of food for the exact same price, yeah, it's a luxury good. It's just bad for you and tastes like shit usually.

That is actually a good thing?

eating out is a luxury

We viewed it as a luxury 40 years ago. A McIceCreamCone was a treat when it was 40c. Now? Dig out that tooth fairy money, son, and get your own damned mcFlurry, and start that learning process.

Always has been a luxury

Last time I was there I bought 4 basic combos and it was about 35 or 40 CAD. RIP. This is a lot more than I remember paying a few years ago for the same thing