It's Time for an Open Letter to the Middle-Class

Hello,

I'm glad to speak to you all today, but not sure that I can. Not sure who you are.

I've been trying to find an accurate definition of who you "middle classers" are, but the info about you is spotty at best.

That concerns me.

Think about it. Politicians beat their chests, tell you they are the middle class's champions, pass laws with you in mind, vying for your vote, and have no clue who you really are.

If you're going to be a middle-class champion, shouldn't you at least be able to define the middle class somehow?

Is it money or success that defines the various classes?

Was Bernie Madoff successful in bilking people out of millions to make himself rich?

Was Mother Theresa successful? She was certainly not wealthy.

Defining The Middle Class by Income

In most cases, the middle class is commonly identified by annual income. But even using that benchmark, there's still no clear answer as to who you are.

Even those who are supposed to be in the know can’t agree on what constitutes the middle class. Here are some examples of this confusion.

• A Pew Charitable Trust Study says you make between $32,900 and $64,000 per year.

• The US Commerce studied the issue and concluded you make between $50,800 and $122,000.

• The US Census Bureau looked at 60 percent of American incomes and came up with a range of $20,600 to $102,000.

It seems to me that you're all over the place.

Do people making $20,600 actually believe and feel they're middle class?

Those making $122,000 still want to be referred to as "upper middle class."

They don't want to feel different than regular folks. Don't call them wealthy.

How far above or below the median household income of $78,075 do you have to be to still consider yourself middle class?

Inflation under President Biden has been less affordable for the typical American household than previously indicated since it began.

The median American worker brings home an estimated $55,640 a year.

There Are Many Variables When Identifying the Middle Class

One figure plucked out of many doesn't tell the whole story of the Middle Class.

You need to consider other variables to be accurate.

For example, age, women-to-men earnings ratio, race and ethnicity groups, occupational groups, and education need to be in the formula.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings of the nation's 120.2 million full-time wage and salary workers were $1,070 in the third quarter of 2022 (not seasonally adjusted).

You can find the most recent numbers for these variables at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Are You Considered Middle Class?

How do you define yourself using a measure beyond money? What is it that makes you middle class?

It is a three-bedroom home with a white picket fence, 2.3 kids, and a two-car garage.

Perhaps you consider yourself middle class if you are college educated, white-collar worker, intermediate or upper management, or self-employed?

Some Final Thoughts on The Middle Class

Once again, we find the need to label ourselves.

If we don't "pigeonhole" ourselves, you can bet someone else will do it for us.

When we use the term "middle class," aren't we just saying we're average? We're nothing special. Not rich, not poor, just existing.

Do you want to find yourself in that class?

Congress is working hard for "Joe Sixpack" without really knowing anything about who Joe Sixpack is.

Most of you reading this would probably check the middle-class box if you had to identify yourself both with income and your perception of your situation.

So maybe the right people are reading my open letter.

What do you think?

Tips, shares, and comments are always welcomed and encouraged. Thanks for reading.