Myths And the Middle Class (The Middle Class and the Classless Society In America)

Washington Post ^ | 27 December 2006 | Robert J. Samuelson

[shrinkermd]

Almost all Americans see themselves as "middle class." To declare yourself middle class is to say you've succeeded without openly bragging that you're superior -- a no-no in a democratic culture. You're like everyone else, only a little more or less so.

Not surprisingly, a recent poll done for the Economic Policy Institute, a liberal think tank, finds that only 2 percent of Americans put themselves in the "upper class" and a mere 8 percent consider themselves "lower class." The large majority classify themselves as "upper-middle class" (17 percent) or "middle class" (45 percent). The rest (27 percent) see themselves as "working class," a stepping stone to the middle class

...By an overwhelming 61 to 34 percent, respondents preferred the first statement. They didn't like oil companies (66 to 13 percent), drug companies (49 to 25 percent) and corporate CEOs (35 to 18 percent). One interesting exception to the anti-big-business sentiment was Wal-Mart, whose favorable rating (45 to 29 percent) almost equaled Social Security's (48 to 24 percent). Globalization wasn't especially popular either; by 59 to 32 percent, respondents favored more limits on imports.

[shrinkermd]

Many good observations in this article but many poor interpretations highlighted by the last sentence which is:

"...The economy pleases most people most of the time -- but can never please everyone all of the time.

[goldstategop]

I admit I don't care for the extravagant lifestyle of the rich. They have the right to live that way but I would never be comfortable spending to impress and to show I've made it.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Recon Dad]

"...The economy pleases most people most of the time -- but can never please everyone all of the time.

Pretty deep!

[goldstategop]

The other point is a number of people in America hate this country despite the fact they could never be happy anywhere else on earth. There's just no pleasing them.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[McGavin999]

At least somebody figured out that the conservative and liberal elite don't even know the American middle class.

[Just mythoughts]

Why is a liberal think tank testing the class waters? Wonder if this poll was commissioned to set the economic strategy for the new liberal congress?

[neb52]

I think it is a generational issue. By the time that new money becomes old money; the heirs are use to the lifestyle and privilege. New Money is always trying to build and improve, while Old Money lays around and spends out eventual existence. This very profound to me when I went and vacationed down at Galveston, TX. This was the first wealthy city in Texas and has all these big mansions of the main drag -Broadway(US45). What stuck out was that the original family that built and owned the houses did not go past the second generation. The second generation always lost what the first built.

[DB]

That's hard to define.

What's "rich"?

Not all rich people live "extravagant" lifestyles. There's a good number that you would never know were wealthy if you met them on the street.

[sgtbono2002]

Class never meant as much to me as behavior.

If you flaunt your riches I dont want to be around you. If you are poor but nice I can have a party with you. Clas has nothing to do with money, It has to do with actions.

Theresa Kerry is rich, but has no class.
Laura Bush is rich w/class.

Hillary No/class
Mrs. Dole w/class

To me class has nothing to do with race or money.It has to do with actions,and the way you treat others.

[PistolPaknMama]

"...The economy pleases most people most of the time -- but can never please everyone all of the time.

Pretty deep!

Hopefully the author didn't rush to judgment. :-)

[mr_hammer]

"I would never be comfortable spending to impress and to show I've made it."

Agreed, I know several rather wealthy people and because of their consumption people think they are wealthier than they really are.

The problem is when they have someone come out and offer a quote for a repair to their home it usually is 50% more than what is fair.

Keep a low profile is always best.

[mr_hammer]

What is my definition of economic classes in the the U.S.?

In my opinion yearly incomes would look like this for a family of four.

Lower Middle Class: $30,000 to $50,000
Middle Class: $50,000 to $200,000
Upper Middle Class: $200,000 to $500,000
Wealthy: Annual Income of $500,000 and a net worth of $2,000,000
Rich: Net worth of $10,000,000

I would offer this, income alone may not guarantee a high standard of living or define you as rich. Where you live, your health and personal relationships must be factored in. To quantify it solely by your yearly income would be a mistake.

[linda_22003]

The rich don't automatically live extravagantly; in fact, many people who do live that way are pretty tapped out by doing so. In many cases, the net worth of people living in more modest neighborhoods might astound you. ;-)

[MSF BU]

You'd be better off working with a distribution of incomes and beginning at the median.

[EQAndyBuzz]

"Why is a liberal think tank testing the class waters? Wonder if this poll was commissioned to set the economic strategy for the new liberal congress?"

I think you are correct. It would seem the RATS are trying to determine how low they can go in taxing payroll to justify their senior citizen wealth redistribution program.

[mr_hammer]

The numbers I have stated are in my opinion. Actual data does differ. I believe only 15% of this country's households gross over $75,000.00 per year. So, you are right. Using mean, mode and median numbers one can shift the mathematical "middle" around substantially.

In reality when you factor in all the expenses of modern life; taxes, housing, fuel, medical, insurances, college, retirement, autos, ect...$75k is hardly a lot of money.

[redstaterabblerouser]

example

baseball players (MLB)

basketball players (NBA)

entertainers (RAP)

[SmartAZ]

There are no classes in America. Furthermore, everybody is in the middle class.

[Polybius]

To me class has nothing to do with race or money.

"We were America's worst nightmare: white trash with money," ....... Tom Arnold while married to Roseanne Barr

[Condor51]

a mere 8 percent consider themselves "lower class."

And you may be in that 8% if...

• Your Mother-In-law is a blood relative
  
• When you get divorced, your ex-wife is still your sister.
• Your house has wheels, but your 2nd car doesn't.
  
• You consider Milk Crates an Automotive tool.
  
• Your mother is also your aunt.
  
• Your other car is a Pickup too.
  
• You have more rolls of Duct Tape than Toilet Paper.