Lower, Middle, or Upper class

[maat55]

I'm up at 1:30 in the morning reading all these posts to try to take my mind off of a sour stomach, it's working now I have a headache.

[markusk]

I guess the thread has gone somewhat off topic, so I'll do my part

I was in high school when Reagan became President. There was alot of talk about "Reaganomics" back then, which I didn't really understand or cared to understand, but I distinctly remember one night watching World News Tonight on ABC, that in order to pay for the tax cuts and the increase in defense spending, other parts of the budget were getting the axe. Of note: school lunches -- school lunches were required to provide 3 vegetables with the main entree. The Reagan Admin recategorized ketchup as a vegetable, so as long as ketchup was served with 2 vegetables, it was "okay."

I remember thinking, "man, that's stupid. Ketchup is NOT a vegetable."

To this day, I don't eat ketchup.

On the other hand, I did vote for him when he ran again.

[sweeps]

You're sounding more like a punch bag for Rush Limbaugh - when people start talking about distributing wealth to the poor. It's called Socialism

I know socialism is a bad word -- especially for those who listen to Rush Limbaugh (or watch Fox News). But I guarantee you would not want to live in a totally capitalist society. You'd be begging -- pleading -- to have some socialism back in our financial system.

[maat55]

sweeps

Humbug, government as a referree is as close to socialism as there needs to be. Providing assistance for the truly needy is a worthy socialism, but that only happens because people don't look out for each other like they used to and some have chosen to abuse charity.

The first attempts of this country to succeed failed because it was based on the socialistic system England had in place. After people were allowed to own their own land and make their own futures, then prosperity took over.

[sweeps]

maat:

In other words, you agree, we have a partially socialist system. And it has served us well for 200+ years.

[Scanner]

If you want to call me a socialist because I want a balanced budget and want a standard for the American dollar (gold, silver, or probably more sensible, oil, since it has a lot of intrinsic value), pass the vodka comrade.

Just so you know, our "oh-so-superior" capitalistic system had several banking failures:

History of central banking in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

History proves one thing right - you get cocky. . .you get burned.

Thomas Jefferson said, "Out of all enemies our great nations face, I fear debt to be the greatest enemy of all."

[maat55]

I too believe we should have a balance budget. We have to have a government. It's job is to protect our borders and us from each other. Regulating businesses to an extent, is socialistic, but neccessary in some cases. The government we have today is way out of control. I saw a list of taxes we didn't have 100 years ago, it would blow your mind.

No doubt, our debt is a weakness. We can't rely on conservatives to control it any longer. I throw my hands up on that one. All we can do is raise our kids to live debtfree and demand the same from the gov.

When your ready to lead a debt march on congress, i'll be there with you.

[TBH]

I couldn't disagree with your assessment more that you aren't middle class. I have no idea how you were raised, etc, but you are most definitely middle class. If you own a home, a car, and can save money for retirement and college educations, you are most definitely middle class.

Thank you!!

I was also thinking, the OP is definitely what I could call middle class. I sympathize with the OP, though. If you feel strapped for cash or feel like you can't do what you want to do with your money, I can understand how you could think you really haven't "arrived" yet.

I was raised middle or even upper middle class. My SO was raised about the same.

I would say we're solidly middle class. We both have professional jobs. Our household income is about $70,000, and not climbing very fast because we both work for nonprofits and in education. We have 1.5 incomes (I work part time). We own our house. We have an old car that runs well. We save an adequate amount, but not a spectacular amount (somewhere around 15% of our gross). We're probably a bit behind on retirement savings but not too bad. We're expecting to be able to pay for a 4-year public college education for our only child. We take several trips a year but all of them are to visit family. We eat out at cheap restaurants about once a week and at nicer restaurants a few times a year. We have enough money to buy some modest original art now and again, and to donate money regularly to things we care about.

I wish I had the money to fix up my house and take nicer vacations, but I choose to save instead.

Life is pretty good.

[Russ G]

upper class

This may be off topic a bit but we shouldn't forget we are all 'upper class' compared to the third world.

I was in India a couple of years ago. There was an article in the local paper which said the average wage for agricultural workers had just hit USD 1.50 a day...

I always try and remember that when I feel short of cash

[maat55]

Most americans are in the top 10% in the world, just be greatful. You came in with no class and you will leave with no class.

[myrdale]

It is defintially relative to where you live. In southern Alabama growing up, we were better off than many of my friends, at least 90%, I would have told you we were upper middle class. Still though there were several people who at the time had the illusion they were more "well to do".

My sister and I never went with out, at the same time though we didn't have many of the luxuries others had (big screen tv's, speed boats, fancy vacations).

After I graduating, now at my first job, I earn more income than both my parents combined. I am very blessed. Now that I have more of a perspective I see my parents actually were better off than many of the "well to do" folks. Their parents had stuff, but they also had debt, which is something we grew up with out.

So compared to most of the folks at home, I am well with in the top 99%. But honestly the poorest person I knew is 1000x more fortunate than many folks else where in this world. It's all relative.

[Snoopy2645]

I would consider us middle class we make more money now but we are raising 3 girls that are nickeling & dimeing us to the poor house. We have also been considered lower class for alot of years before dh graduated from college but I never felt lower class I have always felt middle we have always made to much to qualify for help yet never enough to have everything we want but I am learning now only my kids & family are important the rest dont matter

[flavor]

My husband says we are upper middle class.