In 1971, the average worker's CPI was $738; in 2008 it was $598.
Since 1980, the richest 1% have seen their after-tax income triple, the bottom 90% have seen their after-tax income drop 90%.
Now I know that it is apparently un-American to call for any type of wealth redistribution. But these numbers make me think that the wealth redistribution affecting our country isn't from top to bottom. It seems that the bottom gets left behind, while the top keeps finding life better and better.
Thanks to supply-side economics, the loss of necessary safety nets, and lack of real reform, the average American is finding it harder and harder to reach that fabled middle class and realizing that the working poor lifestyle is going to become a fact of life.
The loss of the middle-class seems to become more apparent as the American dream falls out of reach for more and more families. Home-ownership is on the decline, college tuition rises many times faster than the average rate of tuition, and health-care premiums are rising 40% a year. In order to have stability, we have been taught we need a home, an education, and security in our health; but when we have to go into debt to afford these things, what are we to do?
Why are policies aimed at helping the poor always the first to go? One can argue that they aren't paying the taxes so out of fairness they should be the first to suffer? But how can this work when the jobs they do have don't even allow them to make enough to enjoy the fabled middle-class life. Isn't one requirement of a government to help those that can't help themselves. How come 50 million Americans have entered poverty? Why will 1/4 American's under 18 be forced to use food stamps? They will grow up listening to their neighbors say that it was the choices they made that got them to the situation they are in. These people didn't fail themselves, they're continually failed by government policies that allow the rich to take on more wealth while leaving everyone else behind.
