[Hugin]

Slightly more than half of Americans (about 50.1 percent) either live in a lower-class household (roughly 29 percent) or an upper-class household (about 21 percent).

But Pew also points out that Americans have all gained. That is, the median income has risen 34 percent since 1970.

So they aren't using any objective standard to define middle class, but simply middle income in relation to other peoples paycheck. So if a multimillionaire lives in a neighborhood with billionaires he is "lower class". A more rational way to define "middle class" is by traditional standards. If you have income that allows you to pay your bills, own a house and pay the mortgage, educate your kids and save for retirement, you are middle class. The amount of income you need to do that varies greatly by location. They consider under 42k lower class, but in many places you can live well for less than that. In others you need 2 or 3 times that to be objectively "middle class".

[fwdude]

Obama has incessant told us that anyone making over $250k is evil and “rich,” and should be taxed to death. He later modified that number to $200k. (Later to be modified much lower, when he finds out how much money he needs to implement socialism.)

[Crucial]

I bet that 21% includes some of the traditional middle class. Liberals are always massaging numbers.

[cherry]

all I know is that $98,000 sounds good but its nothing compared to over $650,000...

those people must be govt double and triple dippers.....they make me sick...