How big is the "middle-class"...

[kentuck]

I am just listening to Harry Reid extol the virtues of our middle class and commending Mitch McConnell for protecting the "middle class" tax cuts.

Where does the middle class start and where does it end. The US Senate says the "middle class" ends at the top 98% of incomes in this country. They have never said where it begins??

But obviously we have a huge middle class according to Senate definitions. We should all strive to be a part of that great "middle class" that is envisioned by our leaders in Washington.

This is probably no big deal, except for the small case for honesty and truth...

[Igel]

1. What do you mean by "middle class"?

Answer that and your question is well-formed, it has a response. Don't answer that question and your question lacks a response--unless somebody makes your assumption for you.

Income?

Self-perception?

Aspiration?

Life-style? If lifestyle, then food? Entertainment? Housing? Dress? Culture? Mannerisms?

I left home in 1982. Culturally, my parents were working class in their habits and outlook. My mother aspired to be middle class. Theiy owned their own house, had two cars each less than 5 years old and paid for. Their annual income (this is '82 or so) was $88,000. That put them near the 98th percentile. Their food was all homemade and they seldom went out.They did all their own chores--mowed grass, painted, wiring, brickwork. They drew the line at re-roofing the house. Housing was adequate, but small by today's standards--my "poor" students whose families own houses have houses nearly twice the size of my parents, and have central air and cable.

Were my parents working class? Middle class? "Rich," as a lot of people here would say? Yeah, good luck with that. Pick a definition, make everybody know that's your criterion, and never apply your definition where it doesn't apply.

Note that my mother was a union member and steelworker; my father had been but had a terminal promotion to foreman, the lowest rank of management (and, for him, the highest).

[underpants]

2. Depends on family size

for a single probably at $35k
family of 3 - $60K
family of 4 - about $80K