Zone1 Is the middle class being destroyed in the US?

[Mr Natural]

Remember back in the day when the wealthy were facing a 90% tax bracket and there were plenty of high paying union jobs so mom could stay home and take care of the house and kids?

 

[playtime]

Are you saying it can't be done?

oh it's possible - just out of reach for most young'ns is all. in fact, 40 yrs ago, we lived on one income @$25K, had a home, a kid, & 2 vehicles. it was hard & certainly not the norm.

now, it's damn near impossible.

 

[playtime]

Remember back in the day when the wealthy were facing a 90% tax bracket and there were plenty of high paying union jobs so mom could stay home and take care of the house and kids?

that was in eisenhower's day. funny how a real (R) acted back then. he was pro union & wanted corps to pay a higher rate or turn it back into their biz'nez thru good wages, at least in part.

 

[playtime]

My dad did all that and no union

okey dokey!

 

[Mr Natural]

My dad did all that and no union

Unions jacked up wages for all workers.

 

[playtime]

Unions jacked up wages for all workers.

Labor​

Under the Republican Administration, as our country has prospered, so have its people. This is as it should be, for as President Eisenhower said: "Labor is the United States. The men and women, who with their minds, their hearts and hands, create the wealth that is shared in this country—they are America."

The record of performance of the Republican Administration on behalf of our working men and women goes still further. The Federal minimum wage has been raised for more than 2 million workers. Social Security has been extended to an additional 10 million workers and the benefits raised for 6 1/2 million. The protection of unemployment insurance has been brought to 4 million additional workers. There have been increased workmen's compensation benefits for longshoremen and harbor workers, increased retirement benefits for railroad employees, and wage increases and improved welfare and pension plans for federal employees.

In addition, the Eisenhower Administration has enforced more vigorously and effectively than ever before, the laws which protect the working standards of our people.

Continue and further perfect its programs of assistance to the millions of workers with special employment problems, such as older workers, handicapped workers, members of minority groups, and migratory workers;

Strengthen and improve the Federal-State Employment Service and improve the effectiveness of the unemployment insurance system;

Protect by law, the assets of employee welfare and benefit plans so that workers who are the beneficiaries can be assured of their rightful benefits;

Assure equal pay for equal work regardless of Sex;

Clarify and strengthen the eight-hour laws for the benefit of workers who are subject to federal wage standards on Federal and Federally-assisted construction, and maintain and continue the vigorous administration of the Federal prevailing minimum wage law for public supply contracts;

Extend the protection of the Federal minimum wage laws to as many more workers as is possible and practicable;

Republican Party Platform of 1956 | The American Presidency Project

MAGATs are the real RINOs.

 

[Woodznutz]

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.

Many have moved to the upper class. If that's 'destruction" I'll have a slice.

 

[Woodznutz]

Housing prices are ridiculous.

Supply and demand. If enough people demanded more affordable housing it would appear like dandelions in the spring. How do we make those demands known? Simple. Open a savings account and tell the bank that you are saving for an affordable house.

 

[jc456]

Unions jacked up wages for all workers.

Eventually sending jobs out of the country!! Haaaaaaaaaahaha

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

I never said it was. But imagine there are people who actually are ignorant enough to complain that a mcdonalds worker gets paid $18, or even $20 per hour. Who would actually hold that view? Who really cares? Does it matter? Not in the least. It does not matter. 100 grand today is not upper middle class anywhere here in america. The kennedy center is closing up shop no? Thats a good thing.

That's called everyone with a ******* brain, Methuselah. My last job was a US government contractor and I was paid $18.40 an hour because the average salary for that position in the area was exactly that. I didn't work at McDonald's because the starting pay there was $11.00 an hour of high school dropouts flipping burgers. You are so completely ******* clueless it is hilarious.

If I could have made $20 an hour flipping burgers, I might have taken the easy way out and eliminated the stress involved in my occupation. That only exists in your fantasy world created by your ever-increasing dementia.

 

[Mr Natural]

Eventually sending jobs out of the country!! Haaaaaaaaaahaha

And we can thank the beloved Mr Businessman for that.

 

[jc456]

Labor​

Under the Republican Administration, as our country has prospered, so have its people. This is as it should be, for as President Eisenhower said: "Labor is the United States. The men and women, who with their minds, their hearts and hands, create the wealth that is shared in this country—they are America."

The record of performance of the Republican Administration on behalf of our working men and women goes still further. The Federal minimum wage has been raised for more than 2 million workers. Social Security has been extended to an additional 10 million workers and the benefits raised for 6 1/2 million. The protection of unemployment insurance has been brought to 4 million additional workers. There have been increased workmen's compensation benefits for longshoremen and harbor workers, increased retirement benefits for railroad employees, and wage increases and improved welfare and pension plans for federal employees.

In addition, the Eisenhower Administration has enforced more vigorously and effectively than ever before, the laws which protect the working standards of our people.

Continue and further perfect its programs of assistance to the millions of workers with special employment problems, such as older workers, handicapped workers, members of minority groups, and migratory workers;

Strengthen and improve the Federal-State Employment Service and improve the effectiveness of the unemployment insurance system;

Protect by law, the assets of employee welfare and benefit plans so that workers who are the beneficiaries can be assured of their rightful benefits;

Assure equal pay for equal work regardless of Sex;

Clarify and strengthen the eight-hour laws for the benefit of workers who are subject to federal wage standards on Federal and Federally-assisted construction, and maintain and continue the vigorous administration of the Federal prevailing minimum wage law for public supply contracts;

Extend the protection of the Federal minimum wage laws to as many more workers as is possible and practicable;

Republican Party Platform of 1956 | The American Presidency Project

MAGATs are the real RINOs.

Unions voted for democrats

 

[jc456]

And we can thank the beloved Mr Businessman for that.

He didn’t run unions

 

[playtime]

Unions voted for democrats

you can thank st. ronny for that.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Unions jacked up wages for all workers.

My father was a union worker for General Electric. The unions put him out of work for extended periods when I was growing up and it never led to any significant improvements in wages. He retired after 27 years with a meager pension. My first year as a junior officer in the Navy, I made more money that first year than my father did at any time during his lifetime. That included when he worked 50 hours a week for years at a time.

A few years later, about the time he passed away, General Electric's appliance division almost went bankrupt. They sold their factory to a Chinese company. Guess what? No union now!

 

[jc456]

you can thank st. ronny for that.

Unions follow businesses

 

[Invisibleflash]

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.

Politicians complain that not enuf kids are being born?? Listen up bub and I'm only going to tell you this once! These numbskull politicians are out of touch and guessing at the solutions. Few can afford kids except the rich and illegals, bub. In the old days granny was around to look after kids...for free. Now it is thousands of $$ per month to look after each kid in some locales. When I went to school in the '70's, L.A.C.C. was $6.50 a semester. Cal State L.A. was $63 a trimester. Take all the classes you want for that one fee + used books.

Point is...kids are $$ nowadays. You can't get a 4-year degree for a couple thousand $ any longer, bub. Many people can't afford kids or even afford rent. The rich are out of touch to the highest degree. They want everyone to have kids to keep the Ponzi scheme going. Yet the rich and filthy politicians squeeze people to death. It is akin to saying the USA will deindustrialize, send all our high paying jobs overseas...now go buy $750,000 houses and $60,000 cars on your barista salary. Japan has $7,000 - $8,000 Kei trucks, but the USA blocks their imports. Gotta spend $25,000 for a cheap truck in the USA.

Bub, look how much childcare costs per kid...

AI Overview

The average cost for childcare in New York City is high and varies, but it can be over $18,000 annually for infants and toddlers in family-based care, and potentially over $20,000 for a single child annually. This figure can exceed $4,000 a month for Montessori programs and at least $2,000 a month for daycare, according to 2023 data. Families often spend more than 25% of their income on childcare, which is more than triple the affordable standard set by the U.S. government.

AI Overview

The average monthly cost for childcare in Los Angeles ranges from approximately $1,000 to $2,000, but varies significantly by service and child's age. For instance, full-time infant care can cost between $1,300 and $1,500 per month, while after-school programs for older children typically cost less, around $150 to $500 per month.

AI Overview

In Chicago, the average monthly cost for childcare varies significantly by type but can range from $1,600 to $3,600 for full-time daycare and $4,000 to $6,400 for a full-time nanny. Other options include preschool at $400 to $1,300 per month and part-time after-school care or babysitting at around $1,000 to $3,400 per month.

And even if money is not an issue, the powerful have created an ugly world to live in and bring kids into. America used to be a dream life...but the dream has turned into a nightmare. Add testosterone depletion, trans and queer indoctrination, radical feminists, war on family, yada-proverbial-yada and it is a perfect storm for exterminating America. That's the score, bub.

 

[LA RAM FAN]

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.

uhhhh yes that is WHY they are saying the middle class is being destroyed today and is worse today than the past because that is a big YES to of ALL of your questions charlie.

 

[Lisa558]

View attachment 1216518

Politicians complain that not enuf kids are being born?? Listen up bub and I'm only going to tell you this once! These numbskull politicians are out of touch and guessing at the solutions. Few can afford kids except the rich and illegals, bub. In the old days granny was around to look after kids...for free. Now it is thousands of $$ per month to look after each kid in some locales. When I went to school in the '70's, L.A.C.C. was $6.50 a semester. Cal State L.A. was $63 a trimester. Take all the classes you want for that one fee + used books.

Point is...kids are $$ nowadays. You can't get a 4-year degree for a couple thousand $ any longer, bub. Many people can't afford kids or even afford rent. The rich are out of touch to the highest degree. They want everyone to have kids to keep the Ponzi scheme going. Yet the rich and filthy politicians squeeze people to death. It is akin to saying the USA will deindustrialize, send all our high paying jobs overseas...now go buy $750,000 houses and $60,000 cars on your barista salary. Japan has $7,000 - $8,000 Kei trucks, but the USA blocks their imports. Gotta spend $25,000 for a cheap truck in the USA.

Bub, look how much childcare costs per kid...

AI Overview

The average cost for childcare in New York City is high and varies, but it can be over $18,000 annually for infants and toddlers in family-based care, and potentially over $20,000 for a single child annually. This figure can exceed $4,000 a month for Montessori programs and at least $2,000 a month for daycare, according to 2023 data. Families often spend more than 25% of their income on childcare, which is more than triple the affordable standard set by the U.S. government.

AI Overview

The average monthly cost for childcare in Los Angeles ranges from approximately $1,000 to $2,000, but varies significantly by service and child's age. For instance, full-time infant care can cost between $1,300 and $1,500 per month, while after-school programs for older children typically cost less, around $150 to $500 per month.

AI Overview

In Chicago, the average monthly cost for childcare varies significantly by type but can range from $1,600 to $3,600 for full-time daycare and $4,000 to $6,400 for a full-time nanny. Other options include preschool at $400 to $1,300 per month and part-time after-school care or babysitting at around $1,000 to $3,400 per month.

And even if money is not an issue, the powerful have created an ugly world to live in and bring kids into. America used to be a dream life...but the dream has turned into a nightmare. Add testosterone depletion, trans and queer indoctrination, radical feminists, war on family, yada-proverbial-yada and it is a perfect storm for exterminating America. That's the score, bub.

Lots to unpack here, but a big part of the problem with parents “not being able to afford kids” is the level to which what is considered a “decent life” has risen. Nowadays, young families want a house with enough bedrooms for each kid, plus a guest room, plus three bathrooms, plus two cars, plus of course dinners out a couple of times a week, a vacation to Disneyland, etc., etc.

People who want kids need to reset their perspective and model a lifestyle from a couple of generations back. While the kids are pre-school, the family rents a modest 2-bedroom apartment and the kids share one bedroom. There is one car for the family. Dinners out are for special occasions. Vacations are to visit Grandma.

Then, when the younger is 6, the mother gets a full-time job and hires an after-school babysitter. With the extra income, they can move to a nicer 3-bedroom apartment, or perhaps buy a small 3-bedroom townhouse.

And college? The kids can start at community college, win academic transfer scholarships, and go to the State U for the final two years.

Ideal? No. But there are ways to have a family if one is willing to make sacrifices in the early years until both parents can work full-time.

 

[candycorn]

We should have an economy shaped like a pyramid. Few rich on top expanding downward to those who make less.

Now we have one shaped like an hour glass of sorts. Lots of wealthy, lots of poor and a shrinking number of financially secure