How the Middle Class Is Shrinking

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We know how to manipulate the system and we understand that value of contributing to politicians to change the system to benefit only us, the rich. Right now middle class consists of our puzzle pieces (doctors, lawyers and various technical specialists). The rest of you morons only exist to make us rich.

Sir Truth of UT 6:49PM March 08, 2011

The 2009 numbers are overly bright because the deficit in both FY2009 and FY2010 was 10% of GDP ($1.4 trillion) and it is (was) supporting 10% of the work force. So the 2009 numbers reflect a totally unsustainable condition. Things are much much worse in 2009-2011 than the picture painted in this article.

Rick of PA 2:22PM January 08, 2011

To be accurate, these stats should consider cost of living. I don't think anyone can deny that $35000.00 went alot further in 1969 than it does today.

Lori Sharp of NC 10:58AM December 30, 2010

Something else to adjust those numbers for is the baby boomers are starting to retire. Their income is going to go down then and with it they'll "leave the middle class".

Dan Buss of MI 3:50PM December 29, 2010

in my opinion , until people stop supporting this government that doesn't respect the constitution, there will continue to be a downward spiral and America as we know it is gone. I refuse to support this war that was predicated upon a lie. I refuse to support this government that has placed the president as dictator . Take all that money from the yard work, buy gold and silver and live simply.

austin of NH 10:58AM December 26, 2010

..."Plus, much of the added wealth over the last couple of decades came from women working more, which raised household incomes but also masked problems like fewer jobs and falling pay for manufacturing workers."
Why does women going to work to earn a econd paycheck equate to manufacturing working being paid less? Oh, because its benn PROVEN tima and time again that women consistently earn less for the same quantity and quality of work. So, we need to completely repeal ALL EEO laws, because they dont work, and THEY ARE WHAT HAS REDUCED AMBITION AND PAY AMONG AMERICAN WORKERS.

pitbull of CA 2:13PM December 21, 2010

Is anyone surprised by this? Jobs, as the article stated, are heading overseas so the company can pay for less labor, which means lay-offs for those workers in America...and I can bet you most of those people came from the middle class. On top of that, the middle class now has to pay for the low class' health benefits. America is screwing the hard working class. Pretty soon, there will be a very tiny working class, a great many big business owners with people working for them overseas, and many poor people without homes. Get ready, America! We're heading straight for another depression!

Someone of NY 11:05AM December 21, 2010

Get to work. No job? Make one for yourself. Quit expecting the government or anybody else to give you a hand. Try this, don't but any beer wine or cigarettes for 2 weeks. Take the money and buy a lawnmower...Presto instant business. Go cut the grass for all of these rich people that are walking all over you. 10 houses a day, at $25 a pop, all within walking distance. That's $5000 a month not working weekends. Will it be hard, yes. Will you be tired, yes. Is it easier to complain behind a computer and everybody else for you being lazy, yes. Is unemployment going down anytime soon, NO! to many of you feel entitled to "somebody creating a job for your lazy butts. Your unhireable, you need to learn to be PRODUCTIVE, learn that word PRODUCTIVE.

Thomas Fontes of LA 10:31AM December 21, 2010

The comments are valid concerns. I was in the Army and other countries do more with less. The reason the people in other countries do more is because they don't have daycare. I was at a mans house in Iraq and we began talking. I asked what went in each room. (by the way, the man lived in a 3 room house) He told me room 1 was for himself and his wife. Room 2 was for his son and his sons family. Room 3 was for his other son and family. And daycare is for children that are not raised with the same values as their parents. The whole point of it is that as AMERICANS, we need to become closer. Families need to become families. It's a shame that parents kick their kids out of the house when they are 18. It's also a shame that most young people treat their parents with no respect. This country is very shameful and it's exactly what we get for what we have done. We reap what our government has sewn.

Unknown of TX 8:32AM December 21, 2010

This article has to be written by a demacrat. A person who believes this is a MILD recession and not a big problem. Who cares if the poor is the smallest it has been the last 20yrs. Tell that to the people who are poor. Tell that to the soldier that has a family and has to live with his in-laws b/c he lives below the poverty line and will not be getting a raise this year because Obama cut military funding. Guess he won't be getting that second car his wife needs to be able to take her four kids grocery shopping. And i don't want to hear well then she should get a job. And how would she pay for daycare? No babysitter will work for free and daycare you might as well not work. You would have to pay $100 more than you make plus gas to get to work.
What about the construction worker who lives in a 3 bedroom 1 bathroom with his family who had his hours cut and who's wife can't find a job because like the soldier's wife can't afford daycare. They don't even have a microwave they are so poor. What about the elderly woman who has to decide whether or not to eat this month or get her pills because medicare will no longer pay for them. The list goes on and on and the demacrats just think everything will get better. Lets tell people the economy is getting better and it will. No it won't people are turning off there heat and bundling up in their homes. They are not driving except to work and to the store. They are not eating out. They are not going to movies unless they scrimp and save.
The economy is broke. Bush tried to fix it but didn't have enough time. And now gas prices are going up. I couldn't afford to get to get all the places I HAVE to go a month ago. How am i supposed to afford them now. Did you know that in 2004 gas was $1.67? When they started to go up and they got close to $3 Bush tried to put a cap on it. Meaning it couldn't go any higher then the number he set it at. For example $3 is the cap gas cannot by law go higher than $3. The gas companies threatened to ration gas. Which means that only 5 out of 10 gas companies would have gas available. Which would have meant the price of everything in the gas station would have come up drastically and there would never be enough gas. Thank you greedy oil men. In todays world it is all about gimme gimme. Unless you are at the bottom getting stepped on. Then it is what do i have to do to provide for my family.
I mean what politician is going to care that a mom goes without buying new clothes because her kids need it more. Who cares that she has no coat beacause her kids outgrew theres and needed them more. What about the single Dad who works 2 jobs and has his mom "raise" his kids b/c he is never home so he can provide a roof and food and clothes for his kids. What about the old woman who can't afford to live alone but can't afford a home so she moves in with daughter and has to pay rent b/c the daughter can't afford for he rto live with them. the list goes on and on. FIX IT

Erin of NC 7:48AM December 21, 2010