Who is the middle class?

[Klast Brell]

I just saw a post on a blog complaining that because congress was giving relief checks to people earning under 75K (150K for couples) that they were screwing the middle class. That got me wondering who exactly the middle class is. I did a little research based on census data. In 2006 the median individual income was $26,036. Median Household income was $48,201.

If you consider middle class to be the middle third of income earners in the country that would be people earning between about 26K and 65K a year. If you consider it to be the middle half (25% make less 25% make more) it would be those earning 22.5K to 77.5K The middle three fifths make 18.5K to 88K. But these are household numbers. And according to that same census data Households making over 50K tend to be dual income households. So that 150K for couples makes it pretty broad the number of people who are going to get a check.

Households earning over 150K account for just 5% of the households in America. Is there something in the water that makes them think they are middle class?

[Finglefinn]

A couple making over $150K a year could easily be middle class, depending on where they live (cost of living, etc.) I don't consider $150K+ where I live to be middle class, but just south of me, you're lucky if you can afford a home in the city if you make just $150K.

[superwalrus]

Guess you've never lived in California.

Walrus

[Finglefinn]

I have and I know exactly what you mean, Walrus.

[Jarochai Alabaster]

I heard it mentioned on the radio this morning that the relief checks will be $300/person (Including children). Are people making 75k/year really bitching about not getting $300? I mean, I made roughly 18k last year, and I'm not exactly jumping for joy about this extra "relief." Sure, I'll put it toward something useful (School, pay it towards the car loan, whatever), but I certainly wouldn't be in trouble without it. How the fuck are people who pull in thousands of dollars each month bitching about the loss of 300 during tax time? Hell, it's not even a loss, it's just the absence of a gain.

[Finglefinn]

1 wager earner gets $300 of they are under $75K annual earnings + $300 per child
2 wager earners under $150K combined get $600 + $300 per child

Nobody is losing $300. However, if you consider that some people earning more than these caps is middle class, then they are getting screwed out of this rebate. I would support the fact that $75K annually per wager earner is the meat and potatoes of middle class, but I would not support an argument that they are getting screwed. I won't get the rebate, but I know a lot of people who will and I say good for them.

[Embar Angylwrath]

I have no issue with the rebates, mostly. I don't really care that I own't be getting one, but I DO care that people that paid no income tax will essentially get a $300 (or more) check from Uncle Sam for doing nothing.

[Klast Brell]

99% of the country is middle class if you only count their neighbors. I'm sure middle class in Beverly hills is over 150K. But living in an expencive neighborhood is merely a choice of how you spend your money. People living "just south" of fingle could chose to live in figle's neighborhood instead. But no mater where they live there is little variation in the cost of goods and services. THey don't double the cost of a gallon of gas in rich neighborhoods. They just bump it a few cents. They don't double the cost of a Toyota Corolla. It's a personal choice to drive a Lexus. If you enjoy living in California go ahead and live there. But don't come crying to me that you can't get by on over 3 times the median national income. You chose to live there.

[Finglefinn]

I agree with some of what you said Klast. I wasn't talking about the neighborhood just south of me, I was talking about the metro area. The cost of living in Portland is much higher than where I live. Goods and services in these areas is significantly higher than my more rural area, hands down. I can point to many service industries that have much higher prices in a large metro area than where I live.

I have no issue with the rebates, mostly. I don't really care that I own't be getting one, but I DO care that people that paid no income tax will essentially get a $300 (or more) check from Uncle Sam for doing nothing.

I think the minimum earnings is $3,000 to qualify for the rebate, which lumps the working student single parents class of Americans into this rebate thing, but eliminates anyone not working.

[superwalrus]

Klast.. you're retarded.

Gas is about 50 cents more a gallon compared to the national average. Everything in California is more expensive as a whole hands down.

Whenever there is a report on the news about how gase prices are at such and such a level I giggle because thats what I paid 2 years ago.

Walrus

[Ddrak]

Gas isn't the expensive thing in CA, it's housing prices. 50c more than the national average for gas isn't gonna hurt too bad in the long run, but housing being 2-10x the national average is death to the budget. Besides, gas in CA is still cheaper than most of the rest of the world!

Dd

[Mukik]

I would give up my checkfor 2 nukes...get our troups outta iraq ..drop one there..then another in india..cause it would be fun

[Kulaf]

Sources on Capitol Hill and at the Treasury Department said the plan would send checks of $600 to individuals and $1,200 to couples who paid income tax and who filed jointly.

People who did not pay federal income taxes but who had earned income of more than $3,000 would get checks of $300 per individual or $600 per couple.

[Partha]

It's interesting. You can't find it on the web now (or my Google-Fu is weak), but back when Clinton was going to tax the top 1% of income earners, they took a survey and found that 20% of Republicans considered themselves to be in that top 1%.

It's amazing projection, and it works both ways, as now many of those same people are claiming middle-class status to keep their victimhood intact.