How America Killed Its Middle Class

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

I would, but I can't find one big enough to fit it in.

Pete

That's right Pete.

When you're losing try to change the subject with a lame assed joke.

[piece-itpete]

family at the 20th percentile of the income distribution in this country makes significantly less money than a similar family in Canada, Sweden, Norway, Finland or the Netherlands. Thirty-five years ago, the reverse was true.

That's the middle class?

Pete

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

That's the middle class?

Pete

I wondered about that myself.

I'd be interested in seeing some data on how the 50th percentiles compare.

Why don't you research that and get back to us?

I'm not even sure if that 20th percentile means from the bottom or the top, not that I think it makes an difference, I think you are better off in Canada or one of those Eurocommie countries at either point.

So until you can show me proof otherwise, I'm going to choose to believe that the bottom 80% at least are better off in those countries than here in 'Murica'.

[MrPots]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

And that's not counting the cost of Health Insurance which citizens of Canada, Sweden, Norway, Finland or the Netherlands get virtually free.

Hell yes, the cost of that insurance can eat of 25 - 50% of an average salary in this country.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by MrPots

Hell yes, the cost of that insurance can eat of 25 - 50% of an average salary in this country.

16 grand a year for a decent Family Plan.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/...-premiums.aspx

The increased cost of health insurance is a central fact in any discussion of health policy and health delivery. As annual premiums edged beyond $16,000 for an average family, costs are blamed for rising uninsured and "under-insurance." For those Americans who are fully-covered, these cost realities affect employers, both large and small, not to mention the "pocket-book impact" on ordinary families.

That make a huge difference right there before we even get to wages.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

16 grand a year for a decent Family Plan.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/...-premiums.aspx




That make a huge difference right there before we even get to wages.

Between Part B and separate coverage it is $10,500 a year for the two of us.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Between Part B and separate coverage it is $10,500 a year for the two of us.

That sounds about right.

It's about $13,700 for the two of us as my wife is not yet old enough for Medicare.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Between Part B and separate coverage it is $10,500 a year for the two of us.

How much would it be for the two of you back in Canada?

[BlueStreak]

Yet again, a friend who lives over seas (Sumatra) has recommended I find another country to live in. She sent videos she took, riding around on her motorcycle, filming the beauty of the island and hanging out with friends and tells me; "You should leave that place and find another country. It's cheap and fun!"

The woman lives in Indonesia and likes it better than she liked it here.

To be fair, she was born there and lived in the USA for eight years.

But, still.

Think about that.

I remember when America was a great place to live.......until some cheap, hateful jackasses started trying to fix it.

Dave

[Bigerik]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

How much would it be for the two of you back in Canada?

You really don't want to know....

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