Zone1 Is the middle class being destroyed in the US?

[Parker99]

I see a number of threads here saying the middle class being destroyed or the middle class being worse today than in the past.

But was it not easer to get a job before than today? Also jobs paid better before than today and jobs were more secure than today.

A number of people in other threads here say the middle class is being destroyed now.

 

[TNHarley]

Yep, the govt is doing a good job of that.
So, lets give them more power over our lives!

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

The federal government's spending addiction and ultimate devaluation of our dollar isn't helping.

 

[shockedcanadian]

I see a number of threads here saying the middle class being destroyed or the middle class being worse today than in the past.

But was it not easer to get a job before than today? Also jobs paid better before than today and jobs were more secure than today.

A number of people in other threads here say the middle class is being destroyed now.

Yes. Which is also really bad for Canada as you are going to focus on your industries first.

I did my best. I was abused like a rented mule.

 

[alang1216]

I see a number of threads here saying the middle class being destroyed or the middle class being worse today than in the past.

But was it not easer to get a job before than today? Also jobs paid better before than today and jobs were more secure than today.

A number of people in other threads here say the middle class is being destroyed now.

Unions brought many into the Middle Class. They are pretty much gone now.

 

[alang1216]

Unions brought many into the Middle Class. They are pretty much gone now.

They're not perfect but they did serve a role in post-war America:

Unions have historically been critical in building the American middle class by securing higher wages—often 10%–15% more than non-union counterparts—along with better health benefits, retirement plans, and paid leave. By advocating for 40-hour workweeks and safer conditions, unions transformed low-wage jobs into stable careers.
Key Impacts of Unions on the Middle Class:

• Economic Gains: Union members generally earn higher wages (11.2% higher on average) and have significantly better access to benefits, with 96% having employer-provided health insurance compared to 69% of nonunion workers.
• Wealth Building: Unions help close the wealth gap, particularly for those without a college degree, acting as a key driver of intergenerational mobility.
• Broad Benefits: The influence of unions extends beyond their members, often raising standards for wages and working conditions across entire industries, benefiting non-union workers as well.
• Historical Role: Throughout the 20th century, unions were instrumental in establishing foundational protections like Social Security and the 40-hour workweek.
• Reduced Inequality: By promoting more egalitarian wage structures, unions have played a crucial role in reducing race and gender pay gaps.

While some economists, such as those from the Chicago school, have argued that unions can increase wages by restricting labor supply, potentially benefiting members at the expense of others, evidence suggests they have played a major role in strengthening the middle class, especially during the mid-20th century.

 

[Manonthestreet]

Housing prices are ridiculous.

 

[ThunderKiss1965]

I see a number of threads here saying the middle class being destroyed or the middle class being worse today than in the past.

But was it not easer to get a job before than today? Also jobs paid better before than today and jobs were more secure than today.

A number of people in other threads here say the middle class is being destroyed now.

The Marxist controlled progressive liberals loath the middle class.

Mom of Zohran Mamdani aide who said owning a home fuels ‘white supremacy’ has $1.6M house in Tennessee

Office of Tenant Protection Director Cea Weaver’s mom, Celia Applegate, teaches German studies at Vanderbilt University and owns a pricey classic Craftsman home just south of the main strip in Nash…

nypost.com

 

[ding]

Unions brought many into the Middle Class. They are pretty much gone now.

So are private sector pensions. Government pensions? They're still around. Isn't it great that our public SERVANTS still have pensions when most Americans don't?

And don't get me started on federal employee healthcare plans.

Makes one wonder who is working for whom.

 

[Sparker]

Middle class reduction started decades ago. A big step in reduction was job outsourcing to Mexico and Asia, and then another step with opening the borders for illegal immigrants and guest workers to be exploited for sub-minimum wage. The office workers and managers part of the middle grew to manage the global shipping, finance, entertainment, and government handouts. Both trends are starting to reverse. We'll have more people doing physical work for adequate pay, and fewer office workers.

The boundaries of the middle will probably drop. We squandered enormous wealth of resources for a century, so what's left will support a lower average standard of living. There are many adjustments we can make to continue living comfortably, starting with apartments in walkable bikeable communities instead of houses in suburbs where cars are required.

 

[initforme]

So are private sector pensions. Government pensions? They're still around. Isn't it great that our public SERVANTS still have pensions when most Americans don't?

And don't get me started on federal employee healthcare plans.

Makes one wonder who is working for whom.

Then perhaps its time to bring pensions back for all workers.

 

[SaxonJackson]

I see a number of threads here saying the middle class being destroyed or the middle class being worse today than in the past.

But was it not easer to get a job before than today? Also jobs paid better before than today and jobs were more secure than today.

A number of people in other threads here say the middle class is being destroyed now.

Yes. The Middle Class is shrinking. As the old saying goes: The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.

 

[alang1216]

So are private sector pensions. Government pensions? They're still around. Isn't it great that our public SERVANTS still have pensions when most Americans don't?

And don't get me started on federal employee healthcare plans.

Makes one wonder who is working for whom.

In my experience gov't employees make significantly less than those in the private sector. I think the real question is why don't most Americans have pensions and decent healthcare plans?

 

[initforme]

In my experience gov't employees make significantly less than those in the private sector. I think the real question is why don't most Americans have pensions and decent healthcare plans?

Wow. Winner.

 

[Hafar1014]

Yes. The Middle Class is shrinking. As the old saying goes: The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.

False as the rich get richer so does everyone else.
As the government gets richer we all get poorer. Remember Bidens 9% inflation after a massive expansion of the government

 

[luiza]

I see a number of threads here saying the middle class being destroyed or the middle class being worse today than in the past.

It is Deep State Chapter One , Directive NumberOne .

Similar to old style Marxism where you first eliminate dissenting so called Professionals with Teachers and Doctors top of the list .
And any loud mouthed imagined Intellectual is Disappeared .

Simples .
Then the Elite are only left with Stupid and Gullible Sheeple to deal with .
See America today .
Other brands available .

 

[Lisa558]

Unions brought many into the Middle Class. They are pretty much gone now.

Now to get into the middle class, you need to pick a marketable degree in college - like accounting, architecture, etc. Nothing wrong with that!

 

[candycorn]

I see a number of threads here saying the middle class being destroyed or the middle class being worse today than in the past.

But was it not easer to get a job before than today? Also jobs paid better before than today and jobs were more secure than today.

A number of people in other threads here say the middle class is being destroyed now.

duh.

Workers have less power today than at any other time in modern history. Not only are disreputable employers taking advantage of the lack of unions and collective bargaining, AI and technology are encroaching on previously untouchable jobs--see driverless vehicles for an example.

As costs continue to rise and wages remain stagnant, look for the standard of living to decline.

 

[alang1216]

Now to get into the middle class, you need to pick a marketable degree in college - like accounting, architecture, etc. Nothing wrong with that!

Didn't know you are such an elitist. I guess plumbers and electricians shouldn't be middle class.

Ironic how the MAGA GOP wants to take us back in time to when America was Great but doesn't support any of the things that made it great.

 

[Lisa558]

Didn't know you are such an elitist. I guess plumbers and electricians shouldn't be middle class.

Ironic how the MAGA GOP wants to take us back in time to when America was Great but doesn't support any of the things that made it great.

I was going to add in trade school as an option, but I didn’t want to confuse you.

Union shops drive up costs on their customers.