The problem with America's semi-rich America's upper-middle class works more, optimizes their kids,

[applegrove]

The problem with America’s semi-rich

America’s upper-middle class works more, optimizes their kids, and is miserable.

By Emily [e-mail]  Oct 12, 2021, 8:00am EDT

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22673605/upper-middle-class-meritocracy-matthew-stewart

"SNIP......

It’s easy to place the blame for America’s economic woes on the 0.1 percent. They hoard a disproportionate amount of wealth and are taking an increasingly and unacceptably large part of the country’s economic growth. To quote Bernie Sanders, the “billionaire class” is thriving while many more people are struggling. Or to channel Elizabeth Warren, the top 0.1 percent holds a similar amount of wealth as the bottom 90 percent — a staggering figure.

There’s a space between that 0.1 percent and the 90 percent that’s often overlooked: the 9.9 percent that resides between them. They’re the group in focus in a new book by philosopher Matthew Stewart (no relation), The 9.9 percent: The New Aristocracy That Is Entrenching Inequality and Warping Our Culture.

There are some defining characteristics of today’s American upper-middle class, per Stewart’s telling. They are hyper-focused on getting their kids into great schools and themselves into great jobs, at which they’re willing to work super-long hours. They want to live in great neighborhoods, even if that means keeping others out, and will pay what it takes to ensure their families’ fitness and health. They believe in meritocracy, that they’ve gained their positions in society by talent and hard work. They believe in markets. They’re rich, but they don’t feel like it — they’re always looking at someone else who’s richer.

They’re also terrified. While this 9.9 percent drives inequality — they want to lock in their positions for themselves and their families — they’re also driven by inequality. They recognize that American society is increasingly one of have-nots, and they’re determined not to be one of them.

......SNIP"

[Ollie Garkie]

1. matches my observations to a tee-nt

[applegrove]

2. That is why the GOP wants to get rid of the middle class and upward mobility:

Upper middle class educated will be terrified of not being rich that they'll all vote Republican. And they'll be unhappy as they will not be connected to a greater group.

[Ollie Garkie]

3. yes, and

upper middle class people are just as bad as lower class whites when it comes to
blaming minorities and immigrants for personal and social problems

[applegrove]

4. Well when they are unhappy they start to scapegoat. The feeling that

things are unequal makes them feel bad so they blame the other for their bad feelings. Rather than being for police reform and more training, for example, some blame minorities (who need resources) and vote to cut taxes which makes the police problems with the poor community worse. It becomes self fulfilling. Then the jails fill up. And it costs more. And they vote for paying less in taxes again. In Canada we are all still connected through things like Healthcare and amalgamation of metro areas to pool resources. It is easier to vote for being all together when there is a middle class for people on both ends to land in. I thank my stars for being lucky in that way. Everyone participates.

[GulfCoast66]

5. This is an important subject that is spot on.

The wife and I are in that group. Except we have no kids. But I see this attitude from others in this income level. They realize without 6 figure incomes life is tough and will do what it takes to keep their status. I can’t really socialize with many of them because politics and government policy dominates their thinking and conversation because they are so afraid of losing their status.

But 10% of the country does not elect anyone. That same mindset of losing what they have(be it so little) also drives the non rich upper middle class and even middle class to vote republican. Rather than seeing the oligarchs that are robbing them blind they have been convinced it is ‘others’ who are the threat. Others being people of color.

But it’s an old scam. It got poor whites in the south 160 years ago to feel down with their rich neighbors to insure the blacks were always under them socially. Even though they did not have a pot to piss in.

That also the reason the republicans tied themselves to the ‘moral’ issues. Like Abortion and gay rights. It distracts from the fact we have policies that will actually help them. God and all that jazz

[Equomba]

6. Yawn, Vox News. Replace the "V" with an "F" and voila!

But I'll play.

"they’re willing to work super-long hours." Wow, there's a reason we have a 40 hour work week, why can't these folks conform?

"They want to live in great neighborhoods." Hey, what's wrong with someone who doesn't see life in a trailer park as the American Dream! I mean, whut's wrong with them.

"They’re also terrified." Really? I failed to find a link to a study affirming this. Please provide!

And of course there's more.

[Bluethroughu]

7. Been this way since the 80's...raygun economics.

[Hoyt]

8. Some of those desires are laudable, but not if it disadvantages others or

“keeps others out” who want the same.