New definition for the "Middle Class"...

[Caveman]

Consider me non-political. All politics, by definition are evil. That said, I don't typically care about the views of Democrats, Republicans, or any other political party... they are all flip sides of the same coin. Broken record... Same old song

Still, I do get annoyed when people throw "facts" around as gospel who think others are too dim-witted to care.

So... I'm driving home from work tonight with NPR playing and they have a soundbite from a President Obama speech done today. He was lamenting about how all the republicans "block" all legislation that is for the middle class.

His example?

"They blocked the minimum wage increase."

Really, is this what it's come to? Minimum wage defines the American middle class?

Do people really believe this? How many folks are gullible enough to believe this?

How sad.

 

[Engineer]

The middle class hasn't gotten there yet but give it time and they will. Stagnant wages and McService jobs replacing better jobs will do it eventually.

 

[MongGrel]

It's been heading that way a long time now, yeah.

 

[Tweak155]

Middle class is anywhere from $30k/yr to $250k/yr + depending on who you talk to. I've never heard minimum wage though.

 

[Wreckem]

A two income house household with two workers earning minimum wage and working full time, would fall(just barely) into the bottom of the lower middle class category.

Remember median household income is around $51.5k. While median personal income is around $27k.

 

[squarecut1]

All politics, by definition are evil.

A truer sentence has not been uttered on this forum

I don't understand people being passionate about politics. Can't think of too many people more worthy of contempt than politicians

 

[Jaskalas]

Middle class is anywhere from $30k/yr to $250k/yr + depending on who you talk to. I've never heard minimum wage though.

I do not believe the point is that minimum wage = middle class. The proper point is that an enriched American worker helps fuel the economy, and a fueled economy helps the middle class.

 

[soulcougher73]

Give it time, it will be shortly.

 

[boomerang]

I don't understand people being passionate about politics.

People are passionate about politics because it affects every single, solitary thing you have done, are doing, will do in your life and it will even affect your descendents after your death.

 

[master_shake_]

middle class is dead.

there are the rich, super rich and the rest of us.

 

[nehalem256]

If you make minimum wage you are not middle class.

Obama is just trying to pretend that it is because Democrats do virtually nothing for the middle class. But don't take my word for it

Sure, Democrats do plenty for the poor. They support increases in the EITC and the minimum wage. They support Medicaid expansion. They passed Obamacare. They support pre-K for vulnerable populations. They expanded CHIP. But virtually none of this really benefits the working or middle classes except at the margins.

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-dr...ss-they-really-need-some-policies-benefit-wor

 

[shortylickens]

I notice whenever politicians are completely desperate they start redefining things.

Fuck them.

 

[Cozarkian]

This pro-middle class article has a conservative-bias, but it still provides some interesting data to support the claim that Obama's minimum wage policy is vote-pandering. http://dailysignal.com/2014/05/13/raise-middle-class-wages-minimum-wage/

 

[Engineer]

I notice whenever politicians are completely desperate they start redefining things.

Fuck them.

Are you a politician shorty?

(aka - Prius uses more energy in its' lifetime than non hybrid cars! - greenhouse redefined)

:biggrin:

 

[unokitty]

People still believe politicians?

If you like your politician, you can keep your politician!

Uno

 

[Matt1970]

I notice whenever politicians are completely desperate they start redefining things.

Fuck them.

We see it quite often here. The middle is now the minimum.

 

[Jaskalas]

We see it quite often here. The middle is now the minimum.

This isn't about that...

He's speaking of stimulus.

 

[shortylickens]

Are you a politician shorty?

(aka - Prius uses more energy in its' lifetime and non hybrid cars! - greenhouse redefined)

:biggrin:

See, since my grammar isnt that shitty I know it couldnt have been me.

So, bite me. You sexy bastard.

 

[Engineer]

So, bite me. You sexy bastard.

:wub:

 

[JMapleton]

The whole term "middle class" gets my blood boiling because nearly everyone these days wants to consider themselves "middle class." From the garbage man to doctors and lawyers, I think people feel ashamed if they admit they're anything but middle class.

I would classify middle class as the middle 80 percent in household income. Unless you're a crappy doctor or lawyer, you should be above that 80 percent.

 

[bradly1101]

Consider me non-political. All politics, by definition are evil. That said, I don't typically care about the views of Democrats, Republicans, or any other political party... they are all flip sides of the same coin. Broken record... Same old song

Still, I do get annoyed when people throw "facts" around as gospel who think others are too dim-witted to care.

So... I'm driving home from work tonight with NPR playing and they have a soundbite from a President Obama speech done today. He was lamenting about how all the republicans "block" all legislation that is for the middle class.

His example?

"They blocked the minimum wage increase."

Really, is this what it's come to? Minimum wage defines the American middle class?

Do people really believe this? How many folks are gullible enough to believe this?

How sad.

A rising tide raises all boats.

 

[zanejohnson]

middle class family in my definition is........ 2 working parents, 2 kids, 2 cars, and a mortgage, no debt (besides the mortgage)...............that is near extinction nowadays.


there's tons of the same, with 100k in credit card debt, or homes mortgaged/refinanced to the hilt.... that's the middle class "illusion." (this is usually the typical suburban family, usually 1 parent works, the mother is a "stay at home mom who brags about it on facebook"

the new rich is people without mortgages (either works from home, or owns small business(s), 3+ owned properties, 5-10 vehicles (more vehicles than people in the household), and no credit card debt (or strategic use of credit cards for rewards)

the elite, or "wealthy" is same as above, but with 500k+ in liquid assets..and no necessity for employment...

 

[Zebo]

Whats so hard to understand? Middle quintile.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States#Quintiles

4th is upper middle class
5th is upper class

 

[Zebo]

middle class family in my definition is........ 2 working parents, 2 kids, 2 cars, and a mortgage, no debt (besides the mortgage)...............that is near extinction nowadays.


there's tons of the same, with 100k in credit card debt, or homes mortgaged/refinanced to the hilt.... that's the middle class "illusion." (this is usually the typical suburban family, usually 1 parent works, the mother is a "stay at home mom who brags about it on facebook"

the new rich is people without mortgages (either works from home, or owns small business(s), 3+ owned properties, 5-10 vehicles (more vehicles than people in the household), and no credit card debt (or strategic use of credit cards for rewards)

the elite, or "wealthy" is same as above, but with 500k+ in liquid assets..and no necessity for employment...

lol Sam Walden had a 1969 ford truck and lived in 1 $125K house when he died in the 90s. Was he rich enough @ 40B? Buffet Drove a 15 yr old Camery also lives in a <200K house and just recently bought a CTX. Is he rich?

I learned a long time ago don't judge books by cover. As a builder I saw tons of 60K trucks 200K boats 2m dollar homes all get seized when SHTF. Guess who's didnt - guys who didnt follow your advice.

 

[zanejohnson]

lol Sam Walden had a 1969 ford truck and lived in 1 $125K house when he died in the 90s. Was he rich enough @ 40B? Buffet Drove a 15 yr old Camery also lives in a <200K house and just recently bought a CTX. Is he rich?

I learned a long time ago don't judge books by cover. As a builder I saw tons of 60K trucks 200K boats 2m dollar homes all get seized when SHTF. Guess who's didnt - guys who didnt follow your advice.

that's basically what i'm saying...reread my post...


there's the illusion middle classers......which really isn't middle class at all, because they are in debt to the hilt... (that used to actually be the middle class)

the rich are the people with homes and cars paid off. no debt, no mortgages, and in the black and staying in the black. (the used to be middle class either went to this, or to the illusion... therefore, no TRUE middle class anymore

the elite are the same, except they dont have the need for "income" anymore, live completely off of the interest/assets/capital


oh and believe me, i know, real rich people act/look like they are the poor.... and the poor, act/look like they are elite..