Ever since the beginning of the 21st century, the gap between the ultra-rich and extremely poor has significantly widened. This has far reaching effects on our society and the way we view class divisions.
The extremely wealthy in American society are often called "the top 1%", since they control most of the wealth but make up a small percentage of the population. People have protested all around the country, calling for the government to distribute their wealth to the other 99%.
FORDHAM POLITICAL REVIEW, fordhampoliticalreview.org/
on-modernity-apoliticism-and-inequality-how-we-should-promote-companionship-rathe
r-than-competition/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2017.
How U.S House of Representatives Tackle the Harsh Reality of the Shrinking Middle Class (2007)
The House of Representatives gathered in February of 2007 to discuss the challenges that were facing America's middle class. They knew that the disparities between the rich and poor had become more and more unequal and income inequality was a growing problem. In one instance given in Strengthening America's Middle Class, one lady (Rosemary Miller) shared that she had to work longer hours, which meant time away from her kids, because she needed the money. She also mentioned that she wanted "livable wages and a home that she can own, affordable health care." This was, and still is, a fear for many middle class families as it becomes more out of reach.
As the continued discussion goes on in the House of Representatives they find that for the American middle class economy disparities to narrow many things need to happen. These things are a "competitive economy that includes new and good-paying jobs, restoring workers' rights, including their rights to bargain for better wages and benefits, and making health care more affordable and accessible."
Today the Middle Class still face disparities when it comes to their economy and the discussion and fight for improvement continues.
Citation:
Strengthening America's Middle Class. Washington : U.S. G.P.O., 2007.
Library of Congress, Washington : U.S. G.P.O., babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/
pt?id=pst.000058938843;view=1up;seq=5.
This cartoon drawing depicts the top 1% taking everything away from the Middle Class. The Middle Class is beginning to disappear as they continue to face struggles and economic disparities.
Citation:
It's Not Just Jobs We're Losing, it's America's Middle Class. Mar. 2004.
Hightower Lowdown, www.hightowerlowdown.org/node/290. Accessed 8 Jan.
2018.
The Shrinking Middle Class's Fight to Succeed Economically
For the past 15 to 20 years, the middle class has been shrinking, and the gap between the poor and rich has become more and more stretched. As the middle class families continue to dissipate, they either join the lower or upper classes of America. These two groups have grown in size and significance, this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it isn't a good thing either. While others are becoming more successful economically, some are struggling to make ends meet.
One certain middle class man named Mike McCabe only makes $19.60 an hour making cardboard boxes and according to New York times Mike states "I had to rethink my whole life to make ends meet on what I'm now making." He even said "The middle class is struggling for sure, and almost anybody in my position will tell you that."
This is a huge reason why Donald Trump was such an exciting nominee for so many people. Mike McCabe voted for him because Trump promised that he was going to help the middle class and get their jobs back.
As sad as it might seem, the middle class is disappearing and people
are fighting for their jobs. Today, the economic gap between the poor and rich is growing, which increases the risk of civil unrest.
Citation:
Badger, Emily, and Christopher Ingraham. "The Middle Class Is Shrinking Just
about Everywhere in America." The Washington Post, 11 May 2016,
www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/05/11/
the-middle-class-is-shrinking-just-about-everywhere-in-america/
?utm_term=.b5048c6b29c9. Accessed 8 Jan. 2018.
Schwartz, Nelson D. "Middle Class Contracted in U.S. Over 2 Decades, Study
Finds." The New York Times, 24 Apr. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/04/24/
business/economy/middle-class-united-states-europe-pew.html. Accessed 8
Jan. 2018.
To learn more about protests and politics:
Citation:
It's Not Just Jobs We're Losing, it's America's Middle Class. Mar. 2004.
Hightower Lowdown, www.hightowerlowdown.org/node/290. Accessed 8 Jan.
2018.
The Shrinking Middle Class's Fight to Succeed Economically
For the past 15 to 20 years, the middle class has been shrinking, and the gap between the poor and rich has become more and more stretched. As the middle class families continue to dissipate, they either join the lower or upper classes of America. These two groups have grown in size and significance, this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it isn't a good thing either. While others are becoming more successful economically, some are struggling to make ends meet.
One certain middle class man named Mike McCabe only makes $19.60 an hour making cardboard boxes and according to New York times Mike states "I had to rethink my whole life to make ends meet on what I'm now making." He even said "The middle class is struggling for sure, and almost anybody in my position will tell you that."
This is a huge reason why Donald Trump was such an exciting nominee for so many people. Mike McCabe voted for him because Trump promised that he was going to help the middle class and get their jobs back.
As sad as it might seem, the middle class is disappearing and people
are fighting for their jobs. Today, the economic gap between the poor and rich is growing, which increases the risk of civil unrest.
Citation:
Badger, Emily, and Christopher Ingraham. "The Middle Class Is Shrinking Just
about Everywhere in America." The Washington Post, 11 May 2016,
www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/05/11/
the-middle-class-is-shrinking-just-about-everywhere-in-america/
?utm_term=.b5048c6b29c9. Accessed 8 Jan. 2018.
Schwartz, Nelson D. "Middle Class Contracted in U.S. Over 2 Decades, Study
Finds." The New York Times, 24 Apr. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/04/24/
business/economy/middle-class-united-states-europe-pew.html. Accessed 8
Jan. 2018.
To learn more about protests and politics: