What is the Middle Class..................

[oldtimer]

................Without looking at any references, what do you think is the American Middle Class?

After you vote, put some parameters around your thoughts.

Starting Question: Is there one Middle Class? or, A Sub-divided Middle Class (Lower-Mean-Upper Middle Class)?

[MG_Grievous]

Good thread.

I'd say a combination of education, income, and standard of living.

Too lazy to type why. Maybe later.

[RP-in-Nebraska]

Standard of living sums it up. It takes into account income and expenses but it does not depend upon education. (Intelligence somewhat but not education).

I read yesterday that the median income in the U.S. is about $31K per year. A family making $31,000 a year in Los Angeles is borderline poverty but a family making $31,000 a year in Fayetteville is middle class.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/movecalc.as ... 8110818798 (http://www.bankrate.com/brm/movecalc.asp?a=0&d1=31,000&d2=89.5795569501764&d3=158.988110818798)

[Denmom]

I voted standard of living because that effects everything. If your standard of living is a "millionaire" education is at the best schools, and everything runs that same way. You are well versed in the upper class of life. And in this you no more about current events, the world and presuming the things that can keep you in that category.

If you are middle class, you usually live an average lifestyle and your kids go to schools that are mainly people that live in the same income bracket. You still see things around the world but you don't have the advantages of a rich person.

If you are poor, live in the proverty/poor area, you tend to go to the schools that have more problems and that effects the education that is given. You can't afford to do the things that make your kids know the world and they can't seem to find a way out of the poor area. (now there are some that do) YOu are raised many times on welfare and you grow up thinking that is the way of life.

On the other hand there are middle class people who do drugs, alcohol, meth or whatever that keeps them in the poor category because they spend their money needlessly. So I couldn't vote income because your standard of living doesn't always show by what you make but how you live with what you make. This in return effects your education also.

[oldtimer]

Standard of living sums it up. It takes into account income and expenses but it does not depend upon education. (Intelligence somewhat but not education).

I read yesterday that the median income in the U.S. is about $31K per year. A family making $31,000 a year in Los Angeles is borderline poverty but a family making $31,000 a year in Fayetteville is middle class.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/movecalc.as ... 8110818798 (http://www.bankrate.com/brm/movecalc.asp?a=0&d1=31,000&d2=89.5795569501764&d3=158.988110818798)

I family making $31,000 a year in Arkansas would be upper middle class.

:-D

[Denmom]

Definitely in the town I am from (Hickman, KY) if you make $31,000 a year, you were rich. A two income family may make $20,000 a year. Home cost are cheaper but groceries are more. Utilities are also about the same.

They do give great benefits to senior citizens. I still get my back home paper (8 pages once a week), and the town is kinda big for the school sports (basketball, baseball and football). So this year they have decided to sell lifetime passes to senior citizens for all the sports. I thought that was cool.

They also have alot of taxes that are waived for senior citizens or lower.

On the other hand - it is definitely a town that anyone wanted a free ride moves to. You want a new house, keep having kids under six and they build you one. Maybe $5 - $100 payment a month. (based on if you have any income) Makes me sick

[oldtimer]

denGrandmom,

That new Avatar keep confussing me. I keep thinking there is someone else from KY on here!

[Denmom]

That is my two sons, (21 & 16 year olds) scuba diving at the Christ Abyss in Key largo Florida

[oldtimer]

That is my two sons, (21 & 16 year olds) scuba diving at the Christ Abyss in Key largo Florida

How did that statue get in the water?

[BoogieMom]

oldtimer wrote:
I family making $31,000 a year in Arkansas would be upper middle class.

Hey now, oldtimer, don't be dissin' Arkansas! Been there lately? Man, it is really growing! My daughter goes to the University in Fayetteville and I have another daughter that lives in Little Rock. Both are really nice places to live and have big construction booms going on right now.

[oldtimer]

oldtimer wrote:
I family making $31,000 a year in Arkansas would be upper middle class.

Hey now, oldtimer, don't be dissin' Arkansas! Been there lately? Man, it is really growing! My daughter goes to the University in Fayetteville and I have another daughter that lives in Little Rock. Both are really nice places to live and have big construction booms going on right now.

Just messing.....The Avatar Picture is of my Great Great Grandpa on his land in Low Gap, Newton County Arkansas.

[Denmom]

They put the statue in the water so they can charge you a huge amount to go out and scuba dive at it. Does that answer your question?

[oldtimer]

They put the statue in the water so they can charge you a huge amount to go out and scuba dive at it. Does that answer your question?

NO........I guess the maintance workers have to use Scuba gear to clean the bird poop of the statue. I bet that drives up the costs.