Pressure on the middle class

[flamin lib]

My thanks to bigtree for posting this: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2225499 With the information there I prepared the following for my email list:

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We learned this week that according to the NIA report we are less safe today than before 9/11 in spite of the assurances from the Republicans. They’ve been caught lying.

Meanwhile we are still hearing that the economy is good and that the Republican tax cuts have worked. I suppose that’s true if you are one of the few who earn more than a $ million a year.

As you read this the Republican controlled congress is working on more tax reform. More tax cuts? Nope, tax increases. Some of the tax cuts are about to sunset and the Republicans are not voting to extend them. Which ones? The deduction given to teachers for class materials that they are forced to buy out of their own pockets is on the block. The tax deduction for college tuition is ending. The tax credit for R&D spent by small businesses is due to end. The Democratic minority has tried three times to get the majority to extend these measures only to get a resounding NO! YES to the Paris Hilton tax cuts, NO to the middle class tax cuts. Go figure.

So how has the middle class faired in the last six years in this wonderful Republican economy? Since 2000 middle class income has risen 8.5%. Adjusted for inflation that’s actually a DECREASE in spending power (Based on the average white male, if you’re not one of those you faired much worse). Never mind adjusting for inflation for now, lets just compare that to increases in family expenses.

Since 2000:
Housing costs increased 19%.
Family health care premiums increased 41%
Gasoline costs increased 53%
Childcare costs increased 24%
College tuition (one year, state college) increased 31%

If a family is unfortunate enough to have all of these itemsin the budget the monthly expenses increased 79% compared to the 8.5% pay raise.

To add insult to injury, heap these numbers onto the middle class as well:
Credit card debt increased 23%
Number of workers with employer sponsored retirement plans DECREASED 7%
Number of families without any health insurance increased 15%

So, if you want some more of this, vote Republican in November.

http://democrats.senate.gov/pdfs/IncreasingPressure_2006.pdf Middle class numbers compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

[thethinker]

1. Gasoline costs increased 53%

Gasoline has increased more than 53%.

What was the price of gasoline when Bush took office?

[flamin lib]

2. January '01 = $1.45, Aug '06 = $2.95 plus

many workers are driving further to replace jobs lost to outsourcing.

[thethinker]

3. I found the price of gas

when Bush took office. It was 1.46 average the week Bush took office. I have paid (until recently) up to 3.00 for a gallon of gas.

When they say 53% increase in the price of gas, they are figuring that on today's gas price (reduced to help the republicans win the election).

[flamin lib]

4. Not price of gas the expense of gas on the budget.

Many are driving less despite changing to more distant jobs. Some families are going to one car instead of two.

[bdamomma]

5. the middle class will be no longer with these thugs in abuse of

power get ready to see a wider gap between the rich and the poor in this country.