The American Middle Class Is No Longer the World’s Richest

[Cigar]

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/imgs/2014/140423-due-to-rising-inequality-americas-middle-class-is-no-longer-the-worlds-most-affluent.jpg

The American middle class, long the most affluent in the world, has lost that distinction.

While the wealthiest Americans are outpacing many of their global peers, a New York Times analysis shows that across the lower- and middle-income tiers, citizens of other advanced countries have received considerably larger raises over the last three decades.

After-tax middle-class incomes in Canada — substantially behind in 2000 — now appear to be higher than in the United States. The poor in much of Europe earn more than poor Americans.

The numbers, based on surveys conducted over the past 35 years, offer some of the most detailed publicly available comparisons for different income groups in different countries over time. They suggest that most American families are paying a steep price for high and rising income inequality.


the rest:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/23/upshot/the-american-middle-class-is-no-longer-the-worlds-richest.html?hp&_r=0


So tell me again ... how is this President Obama's fault when it's Only The GOP saying NO to each and every attempt to change this?

[Matty]

Thank you Obama! Thank you!

[Captain Obvious]

http://www.layoutlocator.com/graphics/dldimg/b9f80f3ca81e711fd9d71de0bc851391_rhinos-mating.jpg

[Common Sense]

Woot!

Can-a-da! Can-a-da! Can-a-da! Can-a-da!!!

[Mister D]

Now what effect do you think the importation of millions of uneducated poor people has in US income levels?

[Captain Obvious]

Exactly.

Couple things going on here, an expansion of the gubmint dependent poor plus an expansion of the uber wealthy are taking it's toll on the middle class.

Neither Democrat or Republican is doing anything to solve this transition because they are not at arms length to the process.

This is where Cigar fails, he gets these canned, basically false talking points emailed to him, he reposts them but has very little to no understanding of what they mean. All he knows is that it demonizes Republicans and that's all he needs to know.

[Cigar]

Woot!

Can-a-da! Can-a-da! Can-a-da! Can-a-da!!!

There's no fence ... what are you waiting for? :grin:

[Common Sense]

There's no fence ... what are you waiting for? :grin:

I'm Canadian...

[Captain Obvious]

I'm Canadian...

Nice goal, eh?

[texan]

Thank you Obama and democrats you have had the say so around here since 2006. Should have been a one term president based on your own measurements.

[Cigar]

I'm Canadian...

Then we better get one in a hurry ... before the word gets out that you're insured :laugh:

[Cigar]

Thank you Obama and democrats you have had the say so around here since 2006. Should have been a one term president based on your own measurements.

Based on American Citizens .... exactly 4.9 Million More ... their Measurements count more. :laugh:

Ain't it great to be loved? :grin:

[texan]

Then we better get one in a hurry ... before the word gets out that you're insured :laugh:


yes hurry but wait its 3 months to see a cancer doctor and before you have to wait 8 months for chemo in oh Canada.
Thank you Obama

[Common Sense]

yes hurry but wait its 3 months to see a cancer doctor and before you have to wait 8 months for chemo in oh Canada.
Thank you Obama

Wait times have been significantly lowered. Cancer specialists in particular. There are still long wait times for some procedures.

A friend was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years back and went into chemo in a matter of days. I think the long wait times are often in the more remote areas.

[Spectre]

Wait times have been significantly lowered. Cancer specialists in particular. There are still long wait times for some procedures.

A friend was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years back and went into chemo in a matter of days. I think the long wait times are often in the more remote areas.
Canada has a few big to very big urban areas that are well-serviced between which is a LOT of rural area with small to medium sized towns, many of which are horribly under-serviced, especially when ir comes to primary care doctors. I've talked to people there who've had to wait 6 to 8 years to find a family doctor.

[Common Sense]

Canada has a few big to very big urban areas that are well-serviced between which is a LOT of rural area with small to medium sized towns, many of which are horribly under-serviced, especially when ir comes to primary care doctors. I've talked to people there who've had to wait 6 to 8 years to find a family doctor.

Rural areas have been an issue. 6 to 8 years? I haven't heard that.

We do range from mega cities (4th largest in North America) to tiny northern settlements. It's hard to find any doctor who'll live in the frozen north.

[Newpublius]

Define -- after tax.....now take account of VAT vs sales tax differentials and other differentials and bottom line according to OECD US median income is higher than Canada's on a PPP basis and lower in nominal terms.

[Newpublius]

Wait times have been significantly lowered. Cancer specialists in particular. There are still long wait times for some procedures.

A friend was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years back and went into chemo in a matter of days. I think the long wait times are often in the more remote areas.

Wait times are tracked at provincial level at least in Ontario.....

https://www.cancercare.on.ca/qualityindex2007_old/download/chemotherapy%20wait%20times.pdf

price controls create queues, they always do.

[Common Sense]

Wait times are tracked at provincial level at least in Ontario.....

https://www.cancercare.on.ca/qualityindex2007_old/download/chemotherapy wait times.pdf (https://www.cancercare.on.ca/qualityindex2007_old/download/chemotherapy%20wait%20times.pdf)

price controls create queues, they always do.

Like I said, there are wait times and it is an issue. But lets not pretend there aren't wait times in the US. Not to mention outright denial of care by the insurer.

[Newpublius]

Like I said, there are wait times and it is an issue. But lets not pretend there aren't wait times in the US. Not to mention outright denial of care by the insurer.

i'm not aware of any. My grandfather had cancer and I'd take him to his scheduled chemo treatments. Chemo, picked up by private insurance or not, you're either rich or you'll be on Medicaid pretty quickly, or of course if you're old you'll be on Medicare, but I'm unfamiliar with wait times in NY and NJ.

[zelmo1234]

Based on American Citizens .... exactly 4.9 Million More ... their Measurements count more. :laugh:

Ain't it great to be loved? :grin:

And Cigar has been beaten in 12 post! Now resorts to we won the election!

President Obama has been n office 5+ years his policies are total against economic expansion, and wonders why the rich are not spending money to create jobs

[Peter1469]

The chart in the OP does not show that the US middle class is poorer than anyone. It does show a dramatic closing of the gap between the US middle class and other 1st world nation middle classes. Most notably Canada.

And this is not necessarily bad. Who wouldn't want other nations' middle classes to gain income??

Oh, but I read the article and looked at the cool graphics.

[darroll]

Now what effect do you think the importation of millions of uneducated poor people has in US income levels?
This is great.
They will work their butt off for ten bucks an hour, they will mow your lawn for five bucks and will show up to work and be sober.