Tax:

[rayheinrich]

I know most people in the US self-identify with middle class, but what constitutes middle class these days?

Capitalist class (1%) Top]level executives, high]rung politicians, heirs. Ivy League
education common.

Upper class 1% Top]level executives, celebrities, heirs;
income of $500,000+ common. Ivy league education common.

The super]rich (0.9%) Multi]millionaires whose incomes commonly exceed $350,000;
includes celebrities and powerful executives/politicians. Ivy League education
common.

The Rich (5%) Households with net worth of $1 million or more; largely in the
form of home equity. Generally have college degrees.

Upper middle class[1] (15%) Highly educated (often with graduate degrees),
most commonly salaried, professionals and middle management with large work
autonomy

Upper middle class[1] (15%) Highly educated (often with
graduate degrees) professionals & managers with household incomes varying from
the high 5]figure range to commonly above $100,000

Middle class (plurality/
majority?; ca. 46%) College educated workers with incomes considerably aboveaverage
incomes and compensation; a man making $57,000 and a woman making
$40,000 may be typical.

Lower middle class (30%)
Semi]professionals and craftsmen with a roughly average standard of living. Most
have some college education and are white collar.

Lower middle class (32%) Semi]professionals and craftsman with some
work autonomy; household incomes commonly range from $35,000 to $75,000.
Typically, some college education.

Working class (30%) Clerical and most blue collar workers whose work is
highly routinized. Standard of living varies depending on number of income earners,
but is commonly just adequate. High school education.

Working class (32%) Clerical, pink and blue collar workers with often low job
security; common household incomes range from $16,000 to $30,000. High school
education.

Working class (ca. 40% ] 45%) Blue collar workers and those whose jobs are highly routinized
with low economic security; a man making $40,000 and a woman making $26,000
may be typical. High school education.

Working poor (13%) Service, low]rung clerical and some blue collar workers.
High economic insecurity and risk of poverty. Some high school education.

Lower class (ca. 14% ] 20%) Those who occupy poorly]paid positions or rely
on government transfers. Some high school education.

Underclass (12%) Those with limited or no participation in the labor force.
Reliant on government transfers. Some high school education. The poor (ca. 12%)
Those living below the poverty line with limited to no participation in the
labor force; a household income of $18,000 may be typical. Some high school
education.

References: Gilbert, D. (2002) The American Class Structure: In An Age of Growing
Inequality. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth; Thompson, W. & Hickey, J. (2005). Society in
Focus. Boston, MA: Pearson, Allyn & Bacon; Beeghley, L. (2004). The Structure of
Social Stratification in the United States. Boston, MA: Pearson, Allyn & Bacon.