If you read the article, it’s defined purely in terms of income:
The poll, commissioned by the National True Cost of Living Coalition, found that around 65 percent of Americans who are considered “middle class,” earning above 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), are in a financial struggle.
In a way, it kind of proves the point that we need to reevaluate what the actual cost of living is in the modern age. For a family of 4 to be considered middle class by this metric, they would have an income of $62,400/year or higher. For a single individual, it’s just $30,120/year. I don’t know anywhere in the US where making $15 an hour means you’re in the middle class, yet the federal government wants to keep acting like it’s the 1980s and you can live it up to an extent on such a meager income.
That being said, financial struggle doesn’t necessarily mean they’re one step away from being destitute. It could just be a struggle to maintain their current standard of life, where is used to be taken as a given that this would improve over time.
For decades, ‘middle class’ was defined as one income that could pay for a family of four. Up until the Nixon inflation of the 1970s anyone with a halfway decent job was ‘middle class.’ Back then $1 million was a giant fortune
Then Reagan came in with his tax cuts for the rich. By 1992, middle class was defined as two incomes and $1 million was what a rich guy paid for a party.
there will never be an administration that would sign off on adjusting the measurements such that millions of people would suddenly be categorized in a lower class than they are. that would make the people calling the shots look bad
Perhaps, but they could minimize the damage from that if it was paired with a comprehensive plan to improve living standards that people actually believed would get passed, and following through on that. Meanwhile, the longer they go on denying the reality voters are experiencing daily, the more they undermine their credibility. At best, they come across as out of touch or incompetent, at worst as outright malicious.
Nah it’s way easier to point the finger at minority groups and claim they are the cause of all our troubles. It’s been working great for years, why would the ruling class stop now?
Believe it or not, there have been well-reasoned, aptly articulated arguments against capitalism delivered by earnest, enlightened people (and members of every class), delivered chiefly out of compassion for their fellow man, for over 200 years.
Anti-capitalism sentiment is in no way a transient sensation. It’s clear from your comments you aren’t well-read on the subject, and I don’t mean that as an insult; with some even-keeled reading of relevant works rather than knee-jerk dismissal of all criticism of capitalism as people looking for something to “blame for their woes,” you will undoubtedly have a better grasp on the world and your own position in it.
Technically you’re correct, as middle class is a loose definition, and at one point used to mean just owning “two cars”.
Times have changed though, and I think the OP’s definition is the more accepted one.
Middle class would be not struggling financially with basic necessities. You may struggle in other areas, but not in food, shelter, clothing sort of stuff.
Essentially, the OP is saying that if you’re struggling financially, you’re not middle class, in how middle class should be defined in the current economy.
Middle class to me is doing ok, but you still have to think about how your money is spent and utilized. Upper middle class is the threshold where money is not a concern anymore.
We really should use these metrics and not income bands, but we always fall into the trap that people are inconsistent and always measure up. I once read an interview where someone said they were “not doing great, but getting by,” and later mentioned they sold a home to buy a boat and take 6 months sailing.
They’re “getting by” living like our rich neighbors did when I was a kid. Compared to our “middle class” life 50 years ago, middle class now is a life style we could only dream about.
It’s intentionally vague. Just about anyone you ask will tell you they’re middle class.
The fact is, there’s no such thing. It’s made up. It can be whatever you want it to be. The point of having everyone believe they’re middle class is so they always believe there’s someone lower than them, that things can get worse.
Most people are one missed paycheck away from not being able to pay for the roof over their head.
If you have to work to live, you’re working class. Same as the rest of us. There is no middle class.
As the economy tightens and the quality of life degrades, more and more people who have ostensibly stable lives are running into the pitfalls of poverty.
I had to dig a bit, but I found out the source poll’s threshold for “middle class”: 200% or more past the poverty line.
The poverty line is about $15k for individuals. People making $30k a year are, clearly, not middle class. The current standard puts the beginning of middle class in the low $50k’s.
If you’re struggling financially, you’re not “middle class”.
If you read the article, it’s defined purely in terms of income:
In a way, it kind of proves the point that we need to reevaluate what the actual cost of living is in the modern age. For a family of 4 to be considered middle class by this metric, they would have an income of $62,400/year or higher. For a single individual, it’s just $30,120/year. I don’t know anywhere in the US where making $15 an hour means you’re in the middle class, yet the federal government wants to keep acting like it’s the 1980s and you can live it up to an extent on such a meager income.
That being said, financial struggle doesn’t necessarily mean they’re one step away from being destitute. It could just be a struggle to maintain their current standard of life, where is used to be taken as a given that this would improve over time.
Think of it this way.
For decades, ‘middle class’ was defined as one income that could pay for a family of four. Up until the Nixon inflation of the 1970s anyone with a halfway decent job was ‘middle class.’ Back then $1 million was a giant fortune
Then Reagan came in with his tax cuts for the rich. By 1992, middle class was defined as two incomes and $1 million was what a rich guy paid for a party.
there will never be an administration that would sign off on adjusting the measurements such that millions of people would suddenly be categorized in a lower class than they are. that would make the people calling the shots look bad
Then you reclassify it day one and make a point of doing it retroactively, showing how the previous (Republican) administrations are to blame
This is it, folks
This is why the presidential administration should not be the source of these definitions.
Perhaps, but they could minimize the damage from that if it was paired with a comprehensive plan to improve living standards that people actually believed would get passed, and following through on that. Meanwhile, the longer they go on denying the reality voters are experiencing daily, the more they undermine their credibility. At best, they come across as out of touch or incompetent, at worst as outright malicious.
Nah it’s way easier to point the finger at minority groups and claim they are the cause of all our troubles. It’s been working great for years, why would the ruling class stop now?
Pretty sure “capitalism” is the whipping boy of the present day for people to blame for all their woes.
Believe it or not, there have been well-reasoned, aptly articulated arguments against capitalism delivered by earnest, enlightened people (and members of every class), delivered chiefly out of compassion for their fellow man, for over 200 years.
Anti-capitalism sentiment is in no way a transient sensation. It’s clear from your comments you aren’t well-read on the subject, and I don’t mean that as an insult; with some even-keeled reading of relevant works rather than knee-jerk dismissal of all criticism of capitalism as people looking for something to “blame for their woes,” you will undoubtedly have a better grasp on the world and your own position in it.
At this point, they’d like to convince you that you’re middle class when you share a place with two roommates.
The medias are trying to redefine having a second or third job as poly employment to make it sound like it’s a choice.
The rich fucks try to define a new normal so they can keep on making more money and fuck us over in the process.
But those same rich fucks will shit a cinderblock if you try to have a second job and aren’t focusing 130% of your life energy into their job.
Not necessarily. You can live outside your means at any income level.
Also, children are fucking expensive.
Untrue.
Technically you’re correct, as middle class is a loose definition, and at one point used to mean just owning “two cars”.
Times have changed though, and I think the OP’s definition is the more accepted one.
Middle class would be not struggling financially with basic necessities. You may struggle in other areas, but not in food, shelter, clothing sort of stuff.
Essentially, the OP is saying that if you’re struggling financially, you’re not middle class, in how middle class should be defined in the current economy.
Middle class to me is doing ok, but you still have to think about how your money is spent and utilized. Upper middle class is the threshold where money is not a concern anymore.
We really should use these metrics and not income bands, but we always fall into the trap that people are inconsistent and always measure up. I once read an interview where someone said they were “not doing great, but getting by,” and later mentioned they sold a home to buy a boat and take 6 months sailing.
They’re “getting by” living like our rich neighbors did when I was a kid. Compared to our “middle class” life 50 years ago, middle class now is a life style we could only dream about.
It’s intentionally vague. Just about anyone you ask will tell you they’re middle class.
The fact is, there’s no such thing. It’s made up. It can be whatever you want it to be. The point of having everyone believe they’re middle class is so they always believe there’s someone lower than them, that things can get worse.
Most people are one missed paycheck away from not being able to pay for the roof over their head.
If you have to work to live, you’re working class. Same as the rest of us. There is no middle class.
Wrong.
There’s no such thing as “middle class” anyways.
As the economy tightens and the quality of life degrades, more and more people who have ostensibly stable lives are running into the pitfalls of poverty.
I had to dig a bit, but I found out the source poll’s threshold for “middle class”: 200% or more past the poverty line.
The poverty line is about $15k for individuals. People making $30k a year are, clearly, not middle class. The current standard puts the beginning of middle class in the low $50k’s.
This is doomer clickbait bullshit.