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The Secret Shame of Middle-Class Americans
The Atlantic ^ | 4/20/16 | Gabler

Posted on 04/20/2016 7:58:31 AM PDT by pabianice

click here to read article


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1 posted on 04/20/2016 7:58:31 AM PDT by pabianice
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To: pabianice

Welcome to Obamaville


2 posted on 04/20/2016 8:04:36 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: pabianice

I agree with the mailbox thing. It is always either bills or junkmail.


3 posted on 04/20/2016 8:05:11 AM PDT by Resolute Conservative
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To: circlecity

And it won’t get better as long as the Republicrats are in control.


4 posted on 04/20/2016 8:08:09 AM PDT by tgusa (gun control: hitting your target.)
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To: pabianice

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.”

HDT 1854


5 posted on 04/20/2016 8:08:59 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (Looks like it's pretty hairy.)
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To: pabianice

I wonder how many of these people have cell phone bills of over $200/month and cable TV/internet bills of another $200/month. How often do they eat out, get their nails done, go to movies, etc.? How much are they spending on alcohol and tobacco products?

IMHO, far too many people are careless with their monthly budgeting due to a feeling of being entitled to so many services.


6 posted on 04/20/2016 8:12:56 AM PDT by NEMDF
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To: pabianice

All I know is, as I’ve worked hard my entire career, the last 8 years have devastated my chances of ever having a comfortable retirement...if I get to retire at all.

I will always HATE Obama and the wimpy republicans for that.


7 posted on 04/20/2016 8:13:02 AM PDT by subterfuge (TED CRUZ FOR POTUS!)
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To: pabianice

It turned from shame to anger awhile ago.
Ergo Trump.


8 posted on 04/20/2016 8:15:04 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: pabianice

The federal government has been waging war on the middle class since the 1960’s and it shows.

Every politician promises to fix it, but we get more of the same except for Reagan and probably Trump.


9 posted on 04/20/2016 8:15:58 AM PDT by Moonman62 (Make America Great Again!)
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To: circlecity
Welcome to Obamaville

This is a trend that started in Carterville.

10 posted on 04/20/2016 8:16:46 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: pabianice

And that in a nutshell is why people are voting for Trump. Because as horrible as abortion (or fill in any other social crusader or national security issue, for the same effect) is, it’s an abstract non-issue to a person who is on the edge of homelessness and starvation.


11 posted on 04/20/2016 8:17:08 AM PDT by thoughtomator
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To: circlecity
Welcome to Obamaville

Exactly. The writer's part time maximum wage was 39 1/2 hours, now with Obamacare it is 29 1/2. That's a YUGE reduction.

It's time to punish the Democrats for this Abomination they foisted on the American People.

12 posted on 04/20/2016 8:17:15 AM PDT by CptnObvious
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To: subterfuge

“the last 8 years have devastated my chances of ever having a comfortable retirement”

As I’m sure you already know, that was the objective all along, to make you (us) dependent on “them” for everything.


13 posted on 04/20/2016 8:18:12 AM PDT by V_TWIN
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To: AndyJackson

PS we thought this would change with Newt and the contract with America. That was when GOPe slipped the knife in and joined in the slaughter of the American people.


14 posted on 04/20/2016 8:19:01 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: AndyJackson

this is a trend that started in Wilsonville

Federal Reserve Act + Income Tax

took 100 years to deplete the wealth of the nation, but they’ve finally taken it all, or close enough


15 posted on 04/20/2016 8:21:30 AM PDT by thoughtomator
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To: pabianice

Hopefully he got at least $400 for writing this article.


16 posted on 04/20/2016 8:22:41 AM PDT by freedomlover
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To: NEMDF
Ah yes, the overreaching of those who have a telephone, connect to the internet and watch TV. Imagine the grasping greed of such individuals.

The fundamental issue is that almost everyone in the US has seen their wages decline in the last two decades while almost the entirety of the economic growth has accrued to the top 1%.

17 posted on 04/20/2016 8:23:23 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: subterfuge

Amen! I’m hoping that I can find work till I’m 70 (or later)... Our retirement money got wiped out in 2008-2009 when my husband and I were both unemployed.


18 posted on 04/20/2016 8:24:21 AM PDT by CatQuilt (Lover of cats =^..^= and quilts)
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To: thoughtomator
Remember the days when you used to put your money in a savings account and it earned interest because your local savings and loan made mortgages in the local market? All pushed out by easy credit created by the Federal reserve. Now savings accounts and even short term bonds pay what percentage above inflation? It's negative.

Even if you can scratch together the money to save, there is no incentive to do so. It is a perfectly rigged game.

19 posted on 04/20/2016 8:27:00 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: pabianice

I can’t feel too sorry for this guy. He lives in the Hamptons, sent his two children to expensive private schools and colleges, and admits he is financially illiterate. Boo hoo.


20 posted on 04/20/2016 8:28:49 AM PDT by riverdawg
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