American middle class faces ‘worst decade in modern history,’ report finds

[marmar]

WASHINGTON—The U.S. middle class is facing its “worst decade in modern history,” with its share of the country’s income falling for the first time since World War II, a new report says.

The Pew Research Center study says 85 per cent of middle-class Americans feel it is more difficult now than a decade ago to maintain their standard of living. The report describes them as losing faith in the future.

Their share of the national income has been surpassed by affluent earners as median wages stagnate and wealth concentrates at the top in a relatively weak economy.

Roughly half of all U.S. adults define themselves as “middle class,” with incomes ranging from $39,000 to $118,000 (U.S.) .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1245516--u-s-middle-class-faces-worst-decade-in-modern-history-report

[orpupilofnature57]

1. Worse than the last ?

Hawking for president or Carl Sagan's ' Baloney detection kit ' .

[Fumesucker]

2. Middle class? ... Decade?

More like everyone not part of the 1% and for the indefinite future.

[Dkc05]

3. Bush killed the middle class with his wars. End all forign wars.

Bring all the troops home and focus onn the homeland. We need good jobs and education. we give all of it to the rich who pay no taxes. Time to wake up and make them pay so we can get the middle class back. Right now we have the working poor and the dirty rich people.

[Selatius]

4. With the corporate propaganda floating around poisoning minds, I fear no change in current trends.

It is only when people are without homes and without jobs and nothing left to lose that, historically, things change and people are willing to try something new and different, like the New Deal. That is to say I am not in favor of such a scenario. Ideally, change comes long before people hit rock bottom or are made to feel pain at unbearable levels, but if change doesn't come soon, the only thing left for the middle class is the rock bottom. We need another New Deal, another CCC, another WPA and PWA--something that will get money going and people back to work.

[JRLeft]

5. This is what happens when you vote republicon.

[Dkc05]

6. Bush killed the middle class with his wars. End all forign wars.

Bring all the troops home and focus onn the homeland. We need good jobs and education. we give all of it to the rich who pay no taxes. Time to wake up and make them pay so we can get the middle class back. Right now we have the working poor and the dirty rich people.