Anonymous
Post 12/08/2018 02:41     Subject: Re:Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
I want my littles to be successful and not have to live like I did. Me and the hubby are MC but it’s hard. We have to put 5 kids through school and it’s going to be tough. But we can do it. Blessings.


Wow, "littles," "hubby" and "blessings" all in one post. That's a DCUM trifecta.
Anonymous
Post 12/08/2018 02:12     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what everyone thinks they deserve. 20, 30 and definitely not 40 years ago did we have the expense of Starbucks, cell phones, travel soccer, and everything else that eats into our pockets. Look at the difference in how we live now vs then, honestly, and then compare. Also, not everyone deserves to be rich because you think you do.


I don't need to be rich or even need a vacation every year or ever. I just want to not live pay check to pay check and be paid commensurate to my education and experience. I would also like people to pay their fair share of taxes. Yes, I think people who are the top 20 percent and above should pay more taxes so that we can feed poor children. Call me a socialist or whatever you want. I just think feeding and educating children is important.


When was the last time you fed a starving child?


I pay my taxes unlike rich people.


Please educate yourself.

From the Tax Foundation:

In 2015, the bottom 50 percent of taxpayers (those with AGI below $39,275) earned 11.28 percent of total AGI. This group of taxpayers paid approximately $41 billion in taxes, or 2.83 percent of all income taxes in 2015.

In contrast, the top 1 percent of all taxpayers (taxpayers with AGI of $480,930 and above), earned 20.65 percent of all AGI in 2015, but paid 39.04 percent of all federal income taxes.

In 2015, the top 1 percent of taxpayers accounted for more income taxes paid than the bottom 90 percent combined. The top 1 percent of taxpayers paid $568 billion, or 39.04 percent of all income taxes, while the bottom 90 percent paid $428 billion, or 29.41 percent of all income taxes.

The 2015 IRS data show that taxpayers with higher incomes pay much higher average income tax rates than lower-income taxpayers.[4]

The bottom 50 percent of taxpayers (taxpayers with AGIs below $39,275) faced an average income tax rate of 3.6 percent. As household income increases, the IRS data show that average income tax rates rise. For example, taxpayers with AGIs between the 10th and 5th percentiles ($138,031 and $195,778) paid an average effective rate of 14.0 percent – nearly four times the rate paid by those in the bottom 50 percent.

The top 1 percent of taxpayers (AGI of $480,930 and above) paid the highest effective income tax rate, at 27.1 percent, 7.5 times the rate faced by the bottom 50 percent of taxpayers.

Taxpayers at the very top of the income distribution, the top 0.1 percent (with AGIs over $2.22 million), paid an even higher average income tax rate of 27.4 percent.

https://taxfoundation.org/summary-federal-income-tax-data-2017/
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 23:30     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up middle class...your family obeyed all of the rules...worked the proverbial "9-5" and had nothing to show for it? I feel like we were suckers to work so heard and then couldn't even afford to go out (ever) nor go on vacations. I suspect most Americans are like this and only the uMC/rich get to enjoy the perks/profits off the backs of the MC


Boo hoo. News flash, you are not entitled to anything. Why do you feel that by growing up middle class and following the rules you are entitled to a certain lifestyle?

You probably live in comfortable home with heat, a/c, several televisions, and have a car. There are many people who have much much less. Are you sad because you don’t drive a Lexus and vacation in Paris every year? Not everyone can live in a McMansion.

Finally, it’s really not that hard to figure out how to have a high income if that is your priority. If you did not grow up rich, you will need a profession that pays well to have a more comfortable lifestyle. For example doctor, banking, big law. Engineering or business owner is another option. It’s not exactly a secret the professions such as teaching are hard work but pay less. Are you expecting to live a cushy lifestyle on a teacher salary?



You are totally correct. Teachers are worthless and have no place in society. How dare they expect the dignity of a living wage.


Please actually read my comment before posting inane replies. No where did I say anything even remotely close to your comment.

Most teachers I know (family and friends) work incredibly hard at a very very difficult job. I personally believe that teachers in most geographies in the US are significantly underpaid. Not only underpaid, they are undervalued compared to other public sector workers such as cops and firefighters.

However, not one of them whines about being a ‘sucker’ (what an infantile term) for going into their chosen profession. Salaries are publicly available and stable. No one went into teaching expecting to be able to take European vacations each year and drive a Range Rover. While they are underpaid, they certainly make a living wage.

I hope that you are not teaching my children with your demonstrated level of reading comprehension.



If you are the "boo hoo/newsflash person", you know you just totally contradicted yourself. Why shouldn't teachers have cushy lifestyles? Seriously, why shouldn't they make 6 figures?


Again, reading comprehension. Try it.

There is nothing wrong with choosing profession or 9-5 that aligns to your interests and abilities, despite it not being high paying. My problem is with the OP and public school teacher posters who lament choosing a 9-5 / middle class profession and then gripe about not being able to afford luxuries in life. If you want to be UMC and afford a cushy lifestyle, then you need an income that pays more. Teaching does not pay for an UMC lifestyle and everyone knows this.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 22:53     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
I want my littles to be successful and not have to live like I did. Me and the hubby are MC but it’s hard. We have to put 5 kids through school and it’s going to be tough. But we can do it. Blessings.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 22:40     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up middle class...your family obeyed all of the rules...worked the proverbial "9-5" and had nothing to show for it? I feel like we were suckers to work so heard and then couldn't even afford to go out (ever) nor go on vacations. I suspect most Americans are like this and only the uMC/rich get to enjoy the perks/profits off the backs of the MC


Not a sucker. I realize now, much later, how important family connections are. That’s what gets you the good jobs. They get you in the door, and then you have to prove yourself. Many middle class and most working class people don’t have these connections.


That's not entirely true. All kinds of jobs are had through connections. You needed connections to get factory jobs, mill jobs, mine jobs, a good word put in with the farmer down the road, and so on. I got a job in a restaurant once because someone knew someone.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 22:36     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up middle class...your family obeyed all of the rules...worked the proverbial "9-5" and had nothing to show for it? I feel like we were suckers to work so heard and then couldn't even afford to go out (ever) nor go on vacations. I suspect most Americans are like this and only the uMC/rich get to enjoy the perks/profits off the backs of the MC


Boo hoo. News flash, you are not entitled to anything. Why do you feel that by growing up middle class and following the rules you are entitled to a certain lifestyle?

You probably live in comfortable home with heat, a/c, several televisions, and have a car. There are many people who have much much less. Are you sad because you don’t drive a Lexus and vacation in Paris every year? Not everyone can live in a McMansion.

Finally, it’s really not that hard to figure out how to have a high income if that is your priority. If you did not grow up rich, you will need a profession that pays well to have a more comfortable lifestyle. For example doctor, banking, big law. Engineering or business owner is another option. It’s not exactly a secret the professions such as teaching are hard work but pay less. Are you expecting to live a cushy lifestyle on a teacher salary?

Actually I had no idea how different the pay gap was between professions.

I knew people who owned companies and the c-suite were super rich, but I had no clue my profession (not teaching btw) was on the lower paying end. I had no frame of reference for what was a really good paying job and nonditrction from my parents on what I should focus on. It’s not necessarily their fault, they thought I was studying what I wanted too, but, even as college educated people, they came from nothing from a difference location so they had no idea what to tell me.





You are totally correct. Teachers are worthless and have no place in society. How dare they expect the dignity of a living wage.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 22:32     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up middle class...your family obeyed all of the rules...worked the proverbial "9-5" and had nothing to show for it? I feel like we were suckers to work so heard and then couldn't even afford to go out (ever) nor go on vacations. I suspect most Americans are like this and only the uMC/rich get to enjoy the perks/profits off the backs of the MC


Boo hoo. News flash, you are not entitled to anything. Why do you feel that by growing up middle class and following the rules you are entitled to a certain lifestyle?

You probably live in comfortable home with heat, a/c, several televisions, and have a car. There are many people who have much much less. Are you sad because you don’t drive a Lexus and vacation in Paris every year? Not everyone can live in a McMansion.

Finally, it’s really not that hard to figure out how to have a high income if that is your priority. If you did not grow up rich, you will need a profession that pays well to have a more comfortable lifestyle. For example doctor, banking, big law. Engineering or business owner is another option. It’s not exactly a secret the professions such as teaching are hard work but pay less. Are you expecting to live a cushy lifestyle on a teacher salary?



You are totally correct. Teachers are worthless and have no place in society. How dare they expect the dignity of a living wage.


Please actually read my comment before posting inane replies. No where did I say anything even remotely close to your comment.

Most teachers I know (family and friends) work incredibly hard at a very very difficult job. I personally believe that teachers in most geographies in the US are significantly underpaid. Not only underpaid, they are undervalued compared to other public sector workers such as cops and firefighters.

However, not one of them whines about being a ‘sucker’ (what an infantile term) for going into their chosen profession. Salaries are publicly available and stable. No one went into teaching expecting to be able to take European vacations each year and drive a Range Rover. While they are underpaid, they certainly make a living wage.

I hope that you are not teaching my children with your demonstrated level of reading comprehension.



If you are the "boo hoo/newsflash person", you know you just totally contradicted yourself. Why shouldn't teachers have cushy lifestyles? Seriously, why shouldn't they make 6 figures?
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 22:29     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what everyone thinks they deserve. 20, 30 and definitely not 40 years ago did we have the expense of Starbucks, cell phones, travel soccer, and everything else that eats into our pockets. Look at the difference in how we live now vs then, honestly, and then compare. Also, not everyone deserves to be rich because you think you do.


I don't need to be rich or even need a vacation every year or ever. I just want to not live pay check to pay check and be paid commensurate to my education and experience. I would also like people to pay their fair share of taxes. Yes, I think people who are the top 20 percent and above should pay more taxes so that we can feed poor children. Call me a socialist or whatever you want. I just think feeding and educating children is important.


When was the last time you fed a starving child?


I pay my taxes unlike rich people.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 21:16     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what everyone thinks they deserve. 20, 30 and definitely not 40 years ago did we have the expense of Starbucks, cell phones, travel soccer, and everything else that eats into our pockets. Look at the difference in how we live now vs then, honestly, and then compare. Also, not everyone deserves to be rich because you think you do.


I don't need to be rich or even need a vacation every year or ever. I just want to not live pay check to pay check and be paid commensurate to my education and experience. I would also like people to pay their fair share of taxes. Yes, I think people who are the top 20 percent and above should pay more taxes so that we can feed poor children. Call me a socialist or whatever you want. I just think feeding and educating children is important.


When was the last time you fed a starving child?
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 21:09     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My rich aunt Recently told my husband:

“You’re middle class and middle class people are suckers.”

Very simple. We are suckers until we vote for people who advocate for our interests. Until then we can sit and watch the people around us struggle. Very fun!


I agree with this. We're not suckers as individuals for not gaming the system, we might be suckers for not trying harder to change it.


What exactly are you looking for......government handouts? How is it being a sucker to raise your children to be good people and to provide for your family? What rules exactly are you contemplating to break?


Np. I think maybe that we are the only ones who pay 33% taxes on our money. We don't have enough to pay people to figure out how to pay less.


But it's never been easier and cheaper to do your taxes and maximize deductions and tax planning. Twenty years ago you'd have to hire an expensive accountant but today you can pay $10 for an online tax software package.


But it's all straightforward. People who just have basic deductions on income are the ones paying 33% with no other options. The. Little people paying the taxes.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 21:02     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up middle class...your family obeyed all of the rules...worked the proverbial "9-5" and had nothing to show for it? I feel like we were suckers to work so heard and then couldn't even afford to go out (ever) nor go on vacations. I suspect most Americans are like this and only the uMC/rich get to enjoy the perks/profits off the backs of the MC


Boo hoo. News flash, you are not entitled to anything. Why do you feel that by growing up middle class and following the rules you are entitled to a certain lifestyle?

You probably live in comfortable home with heat, a/c, several televisions, and have a car. There are many people who have much much less. Are you sad because you don’t drive a Lexus and vacation in Paris every year? Not everyone can live in a McMansion.

Finally, it’s really not that hard to figure out how to have a high income if that is your priority. If you did not grow up rich, you will need a profession that pays well to have a more comfortable lifestyle. For example doctor, banking, big law. Engineering or business owner is another option. It’s not exactly a secret the professions such as teaching are hard work but pay less. Are you expecting to live a cushy lifestyle on a teacher salary?



You are totally correct. Teachers are worthless and have no place in society. How dare they expect the dignity of a living wage.


Please actually read my comment before posting inane replies. No where did I say anything even remotely close to your comment.

Most teachers I know (family and friends) work incredibly hard at a very very difficult job. I personally believe that teachers in most geographies in the US are significantly underpaid. Not only underpaid, they are undervalued compared to other public sector workers such as cops and firefighters.

However, not one of them whines about being a ‘sucker’ (what an infantile term) for going into their chosen profession. Salaries are publicly available and stable. No one went into teaching expecting to be able to take European vacations each year and drive a Range Rover. While they are underpaid, they certainly make a living wage.

I hope that you are not teaching my children with your demonstrated level of reading comprehension.

Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 20:27     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My rich aunt Recently told my husband:

“You’re middle class and middle class people are suckers.”

Very simple. We are suckers until we vote for people who advocate for our interests. Until then we can sit and watch the people around us struggle. Very fun!


I agree with this. We're not suckers as individuals for not gaming the system, we might be suckers for not trying harder to change it.


I grew up poor and now have an UMC HHI (low 400k). Of all the classes, the middle class has the most suckers because you have a formulaic view of success. You think, "if I do x, y, and z I will be comfortable" which is a form of laziness. The working class and below, and the secure UMC and higher, are hustlers. We know that if you must always be on the prowl for advantages and opportunities. I don't ever met MC people with this mentality.




400k is more than UMC.


Not in the DC area, without any family money to help with the house. Also, we use conservative budgeting so our lifestyle is solidly UMC and nothing more.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 20:08     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what everyone thinks they deserve. 20, 30 and definitely not 40 years ago did we have the expense of Starbucks, cell phones, travel soccer, and everything else that eats into our pockets. Look at the difference in how we live now vs then, honestly, and then compare. Also, not everyone deserves to be rich because you think you do.


I don't need to be rich or even need a vacation every year or ever. I just want to not live pay check to pay check and be paid commensurate to my education and experience. I would also like people to pay their fair share of taxes. Yes, I think people who are the top 20 percent and above should pay more taxes so that we can feed poor children. Call me a socialist or whatever you want. I just think feeding and educating children is important.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 20:07     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My rich aunt Recently told my husband:

“You’re middle class and middle class people are suckers.”

Very simple. We are suckers until we vote for people who advocate for our interests. Until then we can sit and watch the people around us struggle. Very fun!


I agree with this. We're not suckers as individuals for not gaming the system, we might be suckers for not trying harder to change it.


What exactly are you looking for......government handouts? How is it being a sucker to raise your children to be good people and to provide for your family? What rules exactly are you contemplating to break?


Np. I think maybe that we are the only ones who pay 33% taxes on our money. We don't have enough to pay people to figure out how to pay less.


But it's never been easier and cheaper to do your taxes and maximize deductions and tax planning. Twenty years ago you'd have to hire an expensive accountant but today you can pay $10 for an online tax software package.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2018 20:00     Subject: Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up Middle Class and your family obeyed all of the rules...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you feel like a sucker if you grew up middle class...your family obeyed all of the rules...worked the proverbial "9-5" and had nothing to show for it? I feel like we were suckers to work so heard and then couldn't even afford to go out (ever) nor go on vacations. I suspect most Americans are like this and only the uMC/rich get to enjoy the perks/profits off the backs of the MC


Boo hoo. News flash, you are not entitled to anything. Why do you feel that by growing up middle class and following the rules you are entitled to a certain lifestyle?

You probably live in comfortable home with heat, a/c, several televisions, and have a car. There are many people who have much much less. Are you sad because you don’t drive a Lexus and vacation in Paris every year? Not everyone can live in a McMansion.

Finally, it’s really not that hard to figure out how to have a high income if that is your priority. If you did not grow up rich, you will need a profession that pays well to have a more comfortable lifestyle. For example doctor, banking, big law. Engineering or business owner is another option. It’s not exactly a secret the professions such as teaching are hard work but pay less. Are you expecting to live a cushy lifestyle on a teacher salary?



You are totally correct. Teachers are worthless and have no place in society. How dare they expect the dignity of a living wage.