Harris emphasizes the middle class. Who is the middle class?

1. 86

   tsmogposted 2 months ago

   Before sharing some info I ask for consideration is Harris alienating the lower and upper classes by emphasizing the middle class?
   
   Is it all smoke and mirrors? By that is the thought of who thinks they are middle class?
   [Edit: For clarity, hopefully, what I mean for example is I 'feel' I am middle class, though statistically I am not. Perhaps, the presumption is if one feels they are average by default they are middle class. I don't know]
   
   
   
   The State of the American Middle Class by Pew Research (May 31, 2024)
   Who is in it and key trends from 1970 to 2023
   https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-et … dle-class/
   
   Methodology
   
   See graphics and read the analysis . . .
   
   
       Change in income
       Share of total U.S. household income
       Race and ethnicity
       Age
       Gender
       Marital status
       Veteran status
       Place of birth
       Ancestry
       Education
       Employment status
       Occupation
       Industry
       Metropolitan area of residence
   
   
   
   Supplemental information offering perspective closer to home . . .
   
   You can make $200,000 a year and still be ‘middle class’ in these 3 states—they’re not California or New York by CNBC / Make It (Sept 20,2024)
   https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/20/middle- … state.html
   
   There is a map for the states and the pertinent income by state is shared in list format.
   
   Thoughts, criticisms, accolades, and/or commentary?

   replyreport
   1. 90

      wildernessposted 2 months agoin reply to this

      Assuming it is the wealth of a family, not some arbitrary social standing, I would put the middle class at the middle 50% of the population.  25% at low class and 25% at upper class.  We might be able to include a provision for location as well (NYC is far more expensive to live in than Paducah, Ky and thus requires less wealth to simply survive) but if so we are allowing that "social standing" to creep in.
      
      If we do this, though, all the cries that the "middle class" is shrinking are meaningless, for it is defined as the middle 50% of the population.  Half the country is middle class, always. 
      
      I don't understand the graphs you have given; are they using figures arbitrarily picked out of the air to determine what class one is in?  If not, just what IS being used to determine class?  The size of your 3rd TV set?  Whether your toilets are gold plated, porcelain or an outhouse in the back yard?

      replyreport
      1. 86

         tsmogposted 2 months agoin reply to this

         There is a link to the methodology in bold.

         replyreport
2. 86

   Sharlee01posted 2 months ago

   In my view,  the middle class refers to a socioeconomic group that falls between the working class and the upper class in terms of income status. While the exact definition can vary depending on the country and context, the middle class typically includes individuals or families who earn enough to afford a comfortable standard of living, but without the extreme wealth associated with the upper class or the financial struggles of the lower class.
   
   "Before sharing some info I ask for consideration is Harris alienating the lower and upper classes by emphasizing the middle class?"   --- NO
   
   Why --- I think Harris uses the term "middle class" just because it's something politicians have been using for decades. I don't think they’ve really actualized the term anymore, especially since the middle class has gotten smaller over the last decade. To me, she's just another talking head politician. There's nothing new about using that term, and in fact, it shows a lack of initiative. She could come up with something more relevant and fresh when she’s politicking instead of relying on the same old phrases.
   
   I think most people see her use of the term as what it is—a political word used because so many before her have used it. It's similar to how Democrats often make grand promises they know they won't keep. To me, she comes across as a very bland politician, from her demeanor to her reliance on outdated political tactics. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if she promised a mule and 40 acres.

   replyreport
   1. 86

      tsmogposted 2 months agoin reply to this

      Thanks for you view. Appreciated.

      replyreport