I make a 6 figure salary and I definitely do not consider myself middle class. I see it more as upper. I think anything below 65-70 would be considered more middle class.

 

This

 

I'm not 100% sold on him as president yet. I really haven't heard enough of what he has to say tho. I do like that he seems super concerned about energy and environmental issues. However, I'm also not so sure about his ideas with natural gas, even though we will probably end up using a lot more of it in the future regardless of who the next president is.



I like him tho, just want to hear more from him about issues like national security, the war, etc. Every interview I've seen about him he is talking about natural gas.

 

how much money you make and what part of the world you live in determines what "class" you are. If I make $100000 a year and live in Vancouver, I would be considered middle class. If I make $100000 a year and live in rural Nova Scotia, I would be considered somewhat upper class. See what I mean.



I believe I would be considered middle class based on what my wife and I make and where we live, but it sure feels like were lower class. I've watched everything get more expensive over the past few years but I haven't seen our salaries go up at the same rate. :angry:

 

Very good point.



Making $70,000 per year, living in Tennessee is much different than making $70,000 per year and living in Southern California.



A 3,000+ sq. ft. home can usually be found under $300,000 in TN.

A 1,500 sq. ft. home can usually be found over $300,000 in So Cal.

 

Nobody else even mentioned after tax income here





200-250k per year is way, way out of middle class. Good lord.

 

But, isn't that exactly what we're talking about here?



Tax rates, tax breaks, tax incentives, and adjustments to all of these. Adjusting tax incentives so those who make $200,000 pay a higher percentage of their income towards taxes (or don't get the discounts they do now).



I'm merely playing devil's advocate right now. And we're discussing $200,000 for a family income, two parents and children. Without tax incentives, discounts, and credits, those two $100k salaries are down to $72k each.

 

But a married couple would pay less than $28k each. Another reason why gay men and women should be allowed to marry.





:pot stirred:

 

Of course they would, but that's the entire focus of what we're talking about.

We give many tax credits and deductions to encourage charitable giving, investments, education, home buying, etc.



We tax irregular income, such as my father leaving me inheritance - money he earned through income that was taxed by the government, only to be taxed when passed onto me. Double dipping by Uncle Sam?





additionally, the wealthy earners get more tax breaks. Yes, those making $200,000+ have more ability to put their money into the economy by methods that have been granted charitable deductions because they bring a much needed benefit to society, such as donating to charities - Habitat for Humanity, United Way, etc.



I support revision of the tax code to remove pig fat for special interest groups.

I support government investment into less energy consumption and alternative energy sources such as solar power initiatives and utilizing our inland waterways to produce more hydroelectric power.

I support a flat tax.