Is this guy in touch?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by joeydb

By the way, not trying to be political in this next statement:

Can't we just find what the median income is (rather than the mean - which can be distorted by large incomes of the George Soroses and Warren Buffets of the world), go a standard deviation to each side - that's the range, and call it a day?

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/...eat-recession/

average income is a bit less, about 46k.

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by Danzig

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/...eat-recession/

average income is a bit less, about 46k.

Interesting - did not expect that: average less than median.

At any rate, whichever metric is used, or we can come up with two definitions for completeness since they do change over time, middle class is an income based term.

There should be a mathematical reference for it that both liberals and conservatives can agree with.

The policies to implement - obviously a different story.

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by joeydb

Interesting - did not expect that: average less than median.

At any rate, whichever metric is used, or we can come up with two definitions for completeness since they do change over time, middle class is an income based term.

There should be a mathematical reference for it that both liberals and conservatives can agree with.

The policies to implement - obviously a different story.

Middle-class is income based for sure but it is so regional it can't be quantified so easily. I was middle-class in suburban NJ but at the same (close any way) income level in Denver it is a very different scenario.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Clip-Clop

Middle-class is income based for sure but it is so regional it can't be quantified so easily. I was middle-class in suburban NJ but at the same (close any way) income level in Denver it is a very different scenario.

income is one thing, cost of living another. i'm sure there's an average and median for that as well.

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by Danzig

income is one thing, cost of living another. i'm sure there's an average and median for that as well.

True - I agree. Ironically enough, one thing that factors into cost of living is taxation. Anything that reduces gross income to "take home" income (why should there be any other kind?) is a factor to overall standard of living and the amount of options an individual has.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by joeydb

Interesting - did not expect that: average less than median.

At any rate, whichever metric is used, or we can come up with two definitions for completeness since they do change over time, middle class is an income based term.

There should be a mathematical reference for it that both liberals and conservatives can agree with.

The policies to implement - obviously a different story.

there is a math reference. it's just a matter of whether a pol pays attention to the facts, or wishes to use his own opinion.