Jackson is different unit in different faction with different playstyle and has different set of (dis)advantages.
The same can be said with the advantages, each faction has different advantages. If i were to name a few, SU ones for example, i could include the 6 man squads, self spot TD, mortar flares and stuff.
What is the reason jackson should be nerfed other than being different unit from other TDs and whining from axis mains?
For USF we could mention it has the biggest variety of medium tanks but also the best TD when played half decently (the most skill rewarding of any allied TD). One trait overshadows the prior one, and thats bad design. Its not about jackson OP vs axis, its about jackson OP vs its own faction.
Secondly. Risk/reward logic.
How many times USF players that invested heavily in mediums either lost their games to axis tanks because:
-They get outmatched (OKW P4 and P5 are superior in AT and better armored) by axis late game options
-Axis Super heavies are a pain to bring down without some serious AT capability
-OST medium spam is a slippery slope and have the best AT/AI ratio, in numbers they can carry games.
-Axis non frontliners vehicles (Stukas, Pzwerfer, 251, Opel blitz, scout 222, Pumas) require a good ambush or a fast vehicle to chase, otherwise they can escape.
All this situations are some of the hardest challenges to overcome when fighting vs axis.
M36 is able to solve them and when compared to other solutions, the latter are either more difficult to pull off or they cant cover the whole spectrum, (an example is E8 not being as good vs super heavies). Other challenges like infantry superiority can be solved by the rest of USF rooster withouth the need of mediums, but i dont want to offtopic.
An experienced USF player understands the risks of having or not having the right units in the field for when the enemy comes, M36 is the safest bet even when its somewhat expensive but also very cost efficient and effective. Because of this M36 are much more worth than other midgame and lategame strategies. This is bad also.
Its not about nerfing USF lategame AT, its about bringing the faction new life through diversity of tactics and better shaped challenges/tools between factions.
I think OP got 1 point right, we can enhance the whole game by nerfing M36 and panthers altogether.
Added:
Ostheer p4 wins vs jackson if it gets in range. 120 fuel generalist medium tank vs 140 fuel specialized TD. You wont get the same result even if you close in on panther rear with easy8. I think this case is closed.
P4 winning a M36 is L2P, only in a face to face AFK fight P4 will win, otherwise M36 firing range is superior and on the move M36 are superior. I think finding specific scenarios involving low player response is lowkey when discussin about performance.
Jacksons are not a case of "a specialist TD that is not able to keep up" so this is not a case closed.