On my mind:

[garote]

With all these news stories flying around, it's easy to get caught up in class warfare, i.e. political struggle. Got to remember that what ultimately matters is how comfortable I am with my own activities.
But still, something's been gnawing at me:

"Upper class", "middle class", "lower/working class". Is this still an accurate way to group American society? Was it ever? Is there a better way? What's missing?

Comments

[jpeace.livejournal.com]

"Going", "going", and "gone" should suffice from here on out.

[conflictdswitch.livejournal.com]

"Those with money", "Those without money", "Those that are dead", and "Zombies."

[rudetuesday.livejournal.com]

These aren't accurate ways to group American society, because we don't know what these labels mean. How much money does an upper-class American make/spend/use?

I think most people are uncomfortable with using the terms because of implied value. It's tantamount to sin not to have money in the U.S., as you know. :) If you're poor, you're not doing it right.

I don't know if these were ever useful terms in recent memory (post-1930s). Missing is an earnest conversation about what it really costs to live in our country. Banning that chestnut about how 35% maximum of one's income should be allocated to housing costs, is one. Working poor tend to spend closer to 50% or more. Also, the "1 paycheck from poverty" thing. What gets labeled as poverty in this discussion?

I do like "going", "going", and "gone", though...

[headless-chickn.livejournal.com]

I was listening to something not too long ago that was mostly about the banking meltdown, but talked about the declining standard of living in American society over the last 30 years.

They made an interesting point: "middle class" these days is more of a cultural identification then an actual income bracket. It represents a set of values and ideals more then it represents a 2 car garage and a 3 bedroom house on a 3/4 acre lot... struck home pretty well with me.

[headless-chickn.livejournal.com]

As in all things in life, GEORGE SPEAKS FOR ME.

The first 1 minute of this clip is the most concise, perfect analysis of the American socio-economic structure that has ever been articulated. The other 7 mins are a damn good watch too.