How America Killed Its Middle Class

[icenine]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...#axzz2zahfAMV0

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by Pio1980

Anybody know how to play "follow the money"?

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And, it really is that simple. When less down here seems to equal more up here.................

Where did it go and where did it come from?

Duh................

Dave

[icenine]

When the largest employer in America decides to call employees "associates" and then proceeds to pay low wages on parceled out hours then yes the middle class is not healthy.

[bhunter]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

He's about my age actually.

Less than a year older.

Which means he's lived long enough to personally observe the deterioration of the middle class.

It's an obvious fact.

There is nothing to discuss.

The only question is why it's happening and how are we going to reverse it.

To try to argue that it's a myth is beyond ludicrous.

How exactly has the middle class been harmed? Deterioration of the middle class relative to what? It's obvious that they're living longer and have a greater proportion of disposable income than they once had. Do you really think that the return of factory workers that have been replaced by overseas labor would be good for all Americans? The significant demographic shift, largely caused by the 1960s immigration policy, is also salient wrt the measure of middle class status. The more lower waged immigrants brought in will necessarily lower the measure of income on average. The immigration demographics, BTW, is also what the democrat intelligensia continue to cite as the eventual demise of the GOP.

[bhunter]

Originally Posted by icenine

When the largest employer in America decides to call employees "associates" and then proceeds to pay low wages on parceled out hours then yes the middle class is not healthy.

Were entry level retail sales employees, other than store owners and their families, ever middle class? I can't understand why people can't see that artificially raising the cost of employees will decrease the demand for those very employees. Higher wages will attract higher quality employees and force out those already at the margin of employability. One can have all the good intentions, but utterly fail to bring about the intended result. The left perpetually uses supply and demand to attempt to modify peoples behavior, thus, I assume they believe in its efficacy.

[merrylander]

Seriously BH how long do you really think this country can survive the vast inequality. An economy that all agree is 70% consumer driven will not survive without consumers.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by bhunter

How exactly has the middle class been harmed? Deterioration of the middle class relative to what? It's obvious that they're living longer and have a greater proportion of disposable income than they once had. Do you really think that the return of factory workers that have been replaced by overseas labor would be good for all Americans? The significant demographic shift, largely caused by the 1960s immigration policy, is also salient wrt the measure of middle class status. The more lower waged immigrants brought in will necessarily lower the measure of income on average. The immigration demographics, BTW, is also what the democrat intelligensia continue to cite as the eventual demise of the GOP.

You are trying to defend the indefensible.

You are in the position of a pedophiles defense attorney.

I know it's your job to try, how much is it they pay you, 50 cents a post?, but there is nothing you can say that will fly.

[Pio1980]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Seriously BH how long do you really think this country can survive the vast inequality. An economy that all agree is 70% consumer driven will not survive without consumers.

And that is why suppressing the middle class is economically irrational in the long term, but we are dealing with short term smash and grab capitalist types.

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[piece-itpete]

If artificially setting wages actually works (other systems tried says it doesn't) why don't we all make much more? bh is correct mentioning how much more stuff everyone has. Or does the middle class want to go back to 1500-1800 sf 1 or maybe 2 tvs and 1 car - no cable ac computer or cellphone?

Pete

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

If artificially setting wages actually works (other systems tried says it doesn't) why don't we all make much more? bh is correct mentioning how much more stuff everyone has. Or does the middle class want to go back to 1500-1800 sf 1 or maybe 2 tvs and 1 car - no cable ac computer or cellphone?

Pete

At least we might be able to pay for it without going so far into debt.

Dave