What exactly is ‘middle-class’
As we approach the next election cycle, we will increasingly hear the term “middle-class America.” I personally have always thought of myself as middle-class.
Today, however, while watching HGTV, I watched a man describe his neighborhood as typically middle-class and thought … “Holy cow! I sure couldn’t afford to live there!”
Many sociologists break down the income classes into more than the rich, the middle-class, and the poor. These class models feature an upper class, an upper middle-class, a lower middle-class, a working class, and a lower class divided between the working poor and underclass.
The upper class is most commonly described as consisting of those with great wealth and power or simply as “the rich.” Persons of this class commonly have immense influence in the nation’s political and economic institutions as well as public opinion.
The “upper middle-class,” consists mostly of white collar professionals whose work is largely self-directed. Typical household incomes will commonly exceed $100,000.
The lower middle-class is the second most populous, constituting roughly one-third of the population, slightly less than the working class. The lower middle-class is said to consist of “semi-professionals” and lower level white collar employees. A lower middle-class home will have a family income from roughly $50,000 to $100,000 annually.
Many sociologists say the majority of Americans are members of the working class. Working class typically refers to a section of society dependent on physical labor, and compensated with an hourly wage. Forty percent of the nearly 115 million households in the U.S. earned less than $36,000 a year and fall into this class.
Last are the working poor. In the U.S., as many as 25 percent of all jobs pay less than a poverty-level income. For a single person, the Orshansky Poverty Threshold is $10,830. Each additional individual in the family would add $3,740. So for a family of four the level would be $22,050.
So, when the candidates tell you that they represent the middle-class, ask them to break it down and explain how it will affect your personal circumstance.
—Charlie Williams
Montevideo
A bitter pill
Years ago, I sought to live closer to my brothers and parents, and to live “close to” the rural community that I enjoyed growing up in. It has always been my intent to raise my children in an environment that is ‘safe’ and that nurtures my family’s well-being.
I inserted the key into my new home in Montevideo, and I have a sense that: 1) You aren’t listening. 2) You don’t care. 3) Your system is screwed up. 4) You need to be educated.
Regarding my dog, having a dog around lowers my blood pressure, which is based on thorough research. My dog is just a great companion to have around.
I am grateful that a team of professionals at the Mayo Clinic has been diagnosing, treating and monitoring “my Narcolepsy.”
The fact is that I sleep when I don’t want to (Narcolepsy) and that I don’t breathe when I need to (Obstructive Sleep Apnea).
Not breathing is of great concern to me, and high blood pressure is a common side effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Narcolepsy is a tricky little bugger to diagnose. I can see why it can be difficult to understand “my Narcolepsy” and why I have been trying to cope with all of your misguided attempts to explain “my Narcolepsy.”
Laws are to be enforced. I respect that. However, I would like to encourage your staff to review your telephone messages. I should have asked you to return the call and to tell me in your terms that you understood what I was saying.
It is also my right as a citizen to have your conduct reviewed and scrutinized in the same way that you have done to me. Thank you to Officer Joshua Fahey for your kind words. For the staff of the Montevideo Police Department, when given the choice whether to be cruel or to be kind, I hope that you choose to be kind.
(Editor’s note: the writer received an administrative citation last week after three incidents in one week of not having her dog under restraint as required by city ordinance.)
—Sandy Erickson Jeremiason
Montevideo
Thank you
This letter is way past due, so we will call it a past, present and hopefully future thank you. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Ron and Pat Binnebose (bus driver and coaches) Stacey Hoidal, Dale Mooney, Ken Swanson, LaRae Sachariason, Penny Schomaker, Joseph Schomaker, Sharon Lalim, Laura Herfurth, Kerry Wanke, Vicki Wanke and Marie Reszel (Community Education Special Olympic Director) for all of the hard work you do to make Special Olympics so successful in Montevideo. Our athletes enjoy the variety of sports offered to them (basketball, bowling, softball, bocce ball, track and field) and we all appreciate each and every one of you. Also thank you to the community for your financial support with getting their new uniforms. They are so proud of them. Again, thank you!
—Proud parents of our Special Olympics
Montevideo
We can grow together
A common theme is emerging. A week ago I poked at those in education, asking them to get involved with economic development. Now the mirror swings to you others. Twenty years ago I witnessed doctors, lawyers, accountants, optometrists, dentists, insurance agents and many walks of live actively involved in industrial job creation in western Minnesota. Sadly, today only a sparing few take the time. Yet, what would Benson be without CNH, Montevideo without Friendship, Granite Falls without Fagen, and Redwood Falls without Daktronics? Each of your professions would be hugely impacted. I love to hear the phrase, “you know what they should do?”
Then I ask, “Who is They?”
The response, “The city of course.”
If I may be so bold as to remind all, that “The City” is you!
However, I find it sad as a major employer that I only know three doctors in the four communities that I employ 165 people. I miss the days of Doc Allen coming by to see how business is going. He was one of the first I met when I started my business 15 years ago in Montevideo. Yes, a doctor making a house call on a business!
No country has ever taxed their way to prosperity and it won’t work now. Let’s stop looking for politicians to fix our challenges. Grow a job and save a teacher! Grow a job and pave a street. Over tax a job and fire a teacher when the jobs die. I urge all citizens to educate yourself on the challenges of industrial business so we can grow together. Profits and jobs are not evil. They are our only path to prosperity.
—Kevin R. Wald
Montevideo
Set a good example
I am concerned about the message we are sending to our children and youth with the constant complaining and sarcasm I read and hear directed toward our school, city, state and national government officials. I believe children should be raised to respect authority. I believe there are appropriate ways to speak your opinion without using mockery or putting others down. I believe that one of America’s most beautiful gifts we have to give to each other and to the world is our ability to hold diverse opinions and still function as a unified nation. Be a good example! Please do your part to keep America civil!
Sincerely and thank you,
—Emily Wright
Montevideo
Don’t blame our educators
Once again, I find myself taking issue with a colleague in the business community here.
If steel prices rise for a manufacturer that buys steel, the manufacturer pays and attributes it to “market forces.” If a retailer faces rising product costs, the owner raises prices and calls it “necessary.”
And if prices skyrocket for people to watch multi-millionaires play baseball for other multi-millionaires in taxpayer-subsidized stadiums, all sorts of companies call it “worth it” and buy season tickets and private suites as “business expenses.”
But if the state makes massive funding cuts to local schools and educators ask for help, we are supposed to see that as some kind of wicked conspiracy against business owners and job development?
And I find it quite a peculiar suggestion that educators here do not support jobs and business development. Our company regularly uses the high quality schools in this area as a selling point when trying to recruit professionals to work for us.
School administrators and teachers spend their entire day taking care of the children of business owners and their employees. Presumably, this is while the parents are … working. And what are these educators doing while these business owners and their employees are … working? They are preparing their children to be balanced, productive citizens who eventually can start their own businesses or join the work force themselves.
Moreover, I see coaches, band directors, choir directors and instructors of numerous other extracurricular activities spend countless hours working with the children of business owners and their employees. Much of this time is spent in afternoons while parents are still … at work, but much of it also is spent while the parents are at home having supper, running errands, and enjoying the end of their work day.
Converted to an hourly wage, compensation for these faithful coaches and directors of fine arts and other extracurriculars rivals that of factory labor in many developing countries.
I agree that Minnesota’s public education system is in need of serious reform, but to blame the current situation on local educators and disparage their contribution to the business community is both wrong headed and ungrateful.Sincerely and thank you,
—Geoffrey Hathaway
Montevideo
