Middle Class

[justplugit]

WSJ had interesting comparison surveys.
To be part of the middle class you need:

1991 Survey---------------------------------------2012 Survey

To own a home-70%____________________ A secure job-86%

Two or more cars-48% __________________Health insurance-66%

Stocks,bonds investments-41%___________ To own a home-45%

A white collar job-33%___________________ A college education-37%

______________________________________Stocks,bonds investments-28%

"In the wake of the housing crisis, far fewer Americans surveyed think home ownership is a Hallmark of being a member of the Middle Class. "

[Karl F]

not surprising at all, nothing will put you in the poor house quicker, than owning one.

[justplugit]

I agree Karl, but I was lookiing at the change of importance to people as to
a secure job now, being more important to middle class now than a house was in
1991.

The change in the corporate atmosphere where people come last is one of the
biggest reasons, imho. The most you can expect from a company now is aprox
5 years before your let go. Going back 25-30 years ago you could depend
on a company employing you until retirement, if you were contributing to the bottom line
and doing a good job. People were the last thing to get cut when a company was hurting,
now they know they can save x amount of $ by laying off people first.

[Jim in CT]

Want to be in the middle class? Work hard enough to get at least B's in high school (not hard for 90% of American teenagers). Go to college. If you can't afford it, join the military for a hitch or two. When in college, study engineering, accounting, or ANYTHING related to healthcare (pharmacy, physicians assistant, physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy).

Transmission ends.

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by justplugit

IThe change in the corporate atmosphere where people come last is one of the
biggest reasons, imho. The most you can expect from a company now is aprox
5 years before your let go. Going back 25-30 years ago you could depend
on a company employing you until retirement, if you were contributing to the bottom line
and doing a good job. People were the last thing to get cut when a company was hurting,
now they know they can save x amount of $ by laying off people first.

25-30 the US was still riding the post WWII wave where most developed countries where still rebuilding. 30 yrs ago, honda, toyota, datsun cars where not very common. Fast forward 25-30 years - former third world countries - India, singapore, thailand are educated. They are building technology and infrastrucutre, they are competeing in the global marketplace. Those countries were colonies of european nations 60+ yrs ago. Think about the competition the country needs to contend with?

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

Want to be in the middle class? Work hard enough to get at least B's in high school (not hard for 90% of American teenagers). Go to college. If you can't afford it, join the military for a hitch or two. When in college, study engineering, accounting, or ANYTHING related to healthcare (pharmacy, physicians assistant, physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy).

Transmission ends.

pretty much nailed it but dont forget - plumbers, electricians, contractors can never be outsourced, you need to have these in the US.