He’s not asking for your pity, or mine. He’s explaining why he and many other Americans are feeling helpless and are finding it difficult to mount a resistance, eventhough they know they should.
Interstingly sanctions had this same effect on the Iranian middle class. No way to revolt and replace the government when your rent is double your income.
My favorite is when they say that I can’t oppose imperialism because some of the people being targets of wars of aggression may be bigots.