Thus far this semester, we've told stories about our interactions with the government and considered the condition of anarchy. There seemed to be a general sense of agreement among the participants: the government certainly has its low points, but compared to a condition of anarchy, the presence of some governing agencies is acceptable.
This week and next week we are reading The Iron Heel, which talks a lot about economic classes and class antogonism.
What are classes? Basically, economic classes generally break down like this:
Workers own little to nothing but their ability to do manual labor, which they sale for a wage--hence, workers are sometimes called "wage slaves." Workers then take that wage and spend it on consumer goods that they just made at the factory.
The capitalist class do not labor for a living -- they do not sale their labor for a wage. Rather, they own the machines and factories ("the means of production") in which workers labor each day for a modest wage and they own the stores in which laborers purchase their goods.
Middle class folks sit somewhere in between the workers and the capitalists. They probably own a nice home and they may own a small business, but they probably work there each day alongside their employees, or they may be middle managers who earn a good salary but are not wealthy.
In the USA, usually we don't talk much about class politics.
Because we don't talk much about class politics, Does that mean class does not exist in the USA? Or do you think that there are economic classes in America?
If there are classes, do you think that they live together harmoniously? Do you think that there is no conflict of interest? Do you think that free trade benefits everyone?
Or, like Ernest, is there class struggle between the workers and the capitalists? Is there a fundamental conflict of interest between the classes? Does free trade favor the capitalist class over the working class?
If economic classes exist and there is a class struggle in America, who do you think is winning? What indicates to you that one class is winning over another?
Or, maybe there are no classes in the USA. Maybe we all have a more or less equal starting place in life. We can all achieve "the American dream" of owning our own land and home with a white picket fence. Maybe this class thing is a bunch of bunk. We don't really talk about class because class isn't an important issue in American life. We really just need to work hard and pull ourselves up by the boot straps.
What do you think?
To help you answer these questions, here is a great website at the NY Times called "Class Matters." Go check it out and explore the interactive graphics and read the stories about people of different class positions.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely still class divisions in the USA. These classes are nearly always struggling against each other in some way, from strikes on a local level to filibusters in Congress. I don't believe that this is necessarily based on a conflict of interest. We are a country of greed, so everyone is after essentially the same thing: Money. Free trade almost certainly benefits the capitalistic bourgeois class; if there's no government interference, they can pay as little as they want to the working class, and put them into terrible conditions.
ReplyDeleteI would say that the upper class is winning, not in terms of numbers, but in terms of just about everything else (except for stocks). The working class, especially those that don't make very much every year, struggle for everything they have, while the capitalistic class does very little work and amasses more money than the other 80% of the population. More and more, there is a big divide in wealth between capitalists and workers. The rich get richer; the poor, poorer.
People are born into a certain class, and people in a higher class have more of a chance of getting even higher in that class. Any one person has more of a chance of being struck by lightning than becoming rich. Yes, there are some occasions when this happens, but at most, with a four-year degree, you can hope to bring yourself to be only a bit better off at the end of your lifetime than your parents will be at the end of theirs.
Rebecca Herbert, 100.05
There are definitely different levels of classes in america though they are not as simply distinct as a lower, middle and upper class. Yes there are those who are unthinkably rich and those who have nothing and live on the streets that emphasize the two sides of the extreme. But what about those in between? Obviously surgeons, especially plastic surgeons, make a great deal of money. But the money they make does not even compare tot he billions that some business owners have. Plumbers, though you might not think it, also make a good deal of money, but what they make is only a portion of what surgeons make. So what is the dividing line with these middle class men? its rather hard to say - one may go as far to comprise that there is no dividing line, but rather a grey area. Its really a question left up for debate because it could fall either way.
ReplyDeleteYasmin Modica
Poli Sci 100.04
Class division is not spoken of very often. There will always be a separation between high class, middle class, and the lower class. The higher class consists of those people who make tremendous amounts of money such as the president, doctors, etc. The middle class consists of everyday workers such as police officers, nurses, electricians, etc. The no income families, lower paid jobs, and poverty stricken individuals make up the lower class. There isn't class tension between these individuals but these classes are evident. Brandi Parsons PSCI 100.04
ReplyDeleteHannah Hime PSCI 100.04
ReplyDeleteI think there is and will always be economic classes in America's society. I think they are even talked about amongst everyday people to people. I've heard people mention how the middle class is getting "harder and harder." Also in my sociology class, i've learned that in the 1950's the social class that was largest was what is known as the "middle middle class." Today, there is not middle class, but rather a lower middle class and a highter middle class. This is getting rid of the connection between the rich and poor. I think there is a class struggle, but people feel hopeless. I think the rich are winning if there were a chosen "winner" because they do seem to make the decisions. The people's decisions are limited (as we talked about in class.)
There definitely is class and class struggle in the US. The upper class owns the means of production and the lower class has to labor to make a small amount of money. However, classes aren't just divided into upper and lower. The middle class makes up most of society in the US. Most people will move around in the middle class throughout their lives. It is hard to break into the upper class because those who have more money have more opportunity to make money. It's easier for them to start a business or invest in big expensive things like housing developments or cruise lines. A person in the middle class has to work and work and work to get into the upper class. They have to be very smart with money and time and they have to have the urge to want to get as much money as they can. Class struggle is less obvious in the US because there is not a lot of interaction between the upper and lower classes. This is because the middle class tends to interact with both of them.
ReplyDeleteAlex Yates psci 100.5
Just because you don't talk about something doesn't mean it doesn't exist, economic classes are the elephant in the room of American society, always there but no one wants to talk about it. I agree with Yasmin that there is a definite upper and lower class but the middle, the people that fall between are blurred and hard to be just defined as middle class.
ReplyDeleteThe only conflict between classes is that they both want the same thing and can't both have it. The poor want to be rich and the rich want to be richer. The fact that capitalists have more to trade puts free trade in their favor.
In the class struggle of America the upper class is winning because it is easier for the rich to get richer than it is for the people starting at the bottom to work their way up to being rich.
Jessica Hall, 100.04
There may be some class strugle. There certainly is some of the type that Ernest talks about in The Iorn Heel. This is also what we've been talking about in Sociology at the moment. That there is a division among classes and we are seperated by our religon, family, wealth, education, job, etc that incorperates all of this. I think that the class system is a little lopsided. That most of the working side works only to make the rich richer without anything to gain besides the bread of the table for themselves. But then there are the workers who work harder than the others and become the manager and so on and move up and if not join, they at least get closer to the capitalist side. No body talks about the class system, but I think some people still at the very least subconciously recongnize it's presence.
ReplyDeleteMatthew Kimberlin PSCI 100.05
Economic class is not spoken about very often. I think there are classes but people today just do not really think of it as "Yes, I belong to the upper class cause I am totally rich." I think the definition of classes are ever changing throughout the years due to the economy because of the cuts on jobs that were made. Some people make more money like surgeons or doctors and even movie stars make a lot of money! Then there are people who have enough money to not struggle with everyday expenses and people who struggle everyday or who are homeless. I don't think there is class tension. People who have money are content where they are and do what they want and people who aren't as fortunate do what they have to to get by.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Hudlow
PSCI 100.05
I think we do have definite economic classes in America and I believe the division between them is rather large. The upper class is winning,not only in business, but also in education and leisure. The upper class has money and therefore more opportunity. We like to say that anyone in the United States can live the American dream if only they work hard enough, but I dont think hard work is always enough. If you happen to be in the middle class you may get a decent primary education and it is quite possible you can attend college if the tuition is reasonable. Chances are good you will have a home and a car and be able to pay your bills so long as you dont lose your job. But often the middle class plummets to poverty if illness or other extraordinary events arise. If you are in the lower class you may not even be lucky enough to finish your primary education due to factors like crime, drugs and gangs which typically accompany low income communities. Even if you graduate highschool the quality of your education is often lacking as compared to those who attended schools with money to fund technology or innovative programs. This puts someone of the lower class at a significant disadvantage when it comes time to apply for college. This is assuming they are able to pay for college, which typically is not the case as those who live on little money need to work full time to provide for the daily necessities. A person of a lower class often is not able to participate in extra-curricular activities or grow their talents the way someone with money can. Children of affluent families can take piano lessons, try tennis and maybe even have a private voice coach. They are also exposed to other affluent families who can help them to get ahead in life...like the old saying "it's not what you know but who you know." There are many talented people of lower class but they are held back due to financing. For example there are scouts who look for talent on the soccer field, but they are not looking in the poor neighborhoods, they look for their next pro players at costly soccer camps where the affluent kids are learning from other pro's. The poor kid may never even get the chance to be seen even though he may surpass in skills, his finances limit him. I think financial limitations stifle the majority and I believe the upper class is glad that this is so. Money gives one power and if this was not true then the wealthy would have alot more competition on their hands. While many might think the middle class divide is not so great, I think maybe we just don't want to see it. The middle class wants to have more and goes to great length to keep up with the image of the American dream by buying homes and cars they cannot afford and updating their technology on a regular basis. But how many really have the funds for this, apparently not many if you look at all the forclosed homes and repoed SUV's. The rich didn't lose it and the poor never had it, but the middle class desired it and is suffering the consequences and many have dropped from middle class to lower class almost overnight. If times get tougher I can see the possibility of their being only two classes, the rich and the poor.
ReplyDeleteChristina Page PSCI 100.04
We as individuals in the United States by far have economic classes, the classes that determine where we stand in society. It used to be as simple as to have just an upper, middle, and a lower class, but in recent years the United States has created the condition of almost losing the middle class altogether. The current way the government sees us in the economic class line is something like the upper class, lower upper class, lower middle class, lower class, and extreme lower class, or poverty level.
ReplyDeleteThe gap between the income levels and debt between families is outrageous. And not only is our society’s rich getting rich, but the poor are also getting poorer with every year passing by. Yesterday I learned that in 2007, 23.5% of our countries wealth belongs to the top 1% of our country, and in all actuality it did not surprise me one bit. Our country could be richer if people decided to get a job and stop living on our government’s generosity. Maybe your neighbor wouldn’t be going bankrupt if he didn’t get that new car 2 years ago. In America it’s not about how much money you actually have, it’s how much other’s think you have. We are a, I guess you could say, “showy” society. We want what we cannot have, yet we try anyway. That’s exactly why the United States of America is in this mess in the first place.
Laura Elkins PSCI 100.4
There is for sure class struggle in America. Some people of lower class have experienced a resentment for the rich class/upper class citizens. Being introduced to the punk scene (or dying out dwindling caboose of it) had a lot to do with educating myself in social classes in this country. Much of the content while listening to politically driven punk bands supported a distaste of American consumer goods and overall redundancy of it. A lot of the time, American people of the upper rich class buy lots of consumer products for their large homes. Punks developed a objection to mindless money spending on fancy clothes, shoes, cars, houses, etc and were proud of their working class lifestyle. Living as a lower or a working class citizen does not always result in depression due to lack of money. People can survive happier and feel less guilty when they choose to refrain from participating in mass amounts of consumption. To be a part of a counter-culture like punks in America educates people about social classes. But most of the time they're posers and full of themselves.
ReplyDeleteI believe that classes still exist in the United States, but I think they are more understood. Meaning they exist, but people don’t talk about them; most people know what class they are in. I don’t agree with the class system. Because it seems like the lower the class you’re in the harder life can be. Most people know what class they probably fall into, even though we as a United States don’t have rules set out of what defines each class those rules are also understand. What I don’t seem to get is why the rich keep getting rich and the poor are getting poorer. I mean in todays world, the gap between upper class and middle class and below is getting bigger and bigger. How the richest people in the world get tax breaks and the poor have to pay taxes that are too expensive for them at times. Wouldn’t you think that with today’s economy the rich would be poorer and the gap between the classes would get smaller and the classes would be more equal, but it’s the total opposite. I do believe that class system is a struggle to be on top and the Upper class is winning all the time, because they seem to always come out on top no matter the situation. No matter what people say there are classes that exist based on economic values, but I also agree a little that some people in the upper class and upper middle class sometimes get where they are because of their parents or family. They are like born upper class. No matter how you see it, the Upper class with probably always no matter what come out on top.
ReplyDeleteLindsey Walls
PSCI 100.04
Katherine Martin psci .04
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely class struggle. You can see it everywhere you go pretty much. You can drive down the street in your nice warm car and see a homeless guy out on the street. It is obvious that we aren't all born into the same circumstances and are just able to pick ourselves up by the boot strap and achieve great amounts of wealth. Many are born homeless and will remain that way their whole lives simply because they have no way of achieving anything higher. Then, on the other side of the spectrum you have people like Paris Hilton who do absolutely nothing, yet have huge amounts of money. Saddest thing is she will probably die rich for doing nothing while many will die starving on the streets because they can't do anything. That to me shows a huge class struggle right there. It just shows that you can only achieve so much. In most cases, you need to be born at the right place at the right time to be able to obtain the cozy life of the capitalist class. If you aren’t born into it, your chances are very slim for achieving it. The rich generally stay rich, the poor stay poor, and the middle class is in a weird spot where they can gain more or lose more, but either way they are more likely to lose it than gain it. Everyone wants to be able to live the American dream and have their own house, car, job, and never have to worry about whether there will be food on the table that day or not. Yet when you look at it, how realistic is this for some people? Many fight for this, while others just have it handed to them. This to me is class struggle.
There are many different classes in America such as the low, middle, and upper classes. This is much more then a taxable range or income based separation. In most cases its a role or job you do in society. for instance the upper class would be the capitalist law makers in government. the middle would be considered the enforcement of the laws and the lower class would be the one who don't believe the law applies to them. in todays world your told that if you do your best and succeed you can be anything you want. however this is a false statement those with wealth are going to be better off and treated as such. which is the American reality.
ReplyDeleteCordova, Jacob PSCI100:05
there is definately a difference in class in our country. We have the lower class, the middle class, the high class, and the untouchables. The lower class struggle most of all, or do they? I have known middle class families that have spent more money than they actually had to spend and become lower class very easily. We base our class on money. The untouchables are beyond rich. They have special priveledges, and have several important people in their back pockets in order to keep them on the top of the financial ladder. The lower class people work harder and for less pay than middle or high class. I feel this is because the education level is not where it needs to be. I also feel at least our education field is trying to change this is some ways. When I graduated High school many years ago, we just graduated....a high school diploma. Now my son is graduating with a diploma and a certificate in EMT/Paramedic services. I feel this is a non predjiducial way to help even the lower class the chance to move up. I know this is a little off topic, however I felt it was relevent. I think we do not mention class alot because we are embarrassed by the labels we receive. I also feel that people would rather be appreciated for who they are and not what they are categorized as. I agree with Cordova, a job also can label you as well. Someone in an office vs. someone on the sales floor does give you an image of class.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, America will always have classes. There will always be those who make little and those who make a lot. I feel it is safe to say that a lot of the time those classes are established based on how much someone achieves. I remember being told my whole life that you MUST graduate high school and go to college to be able to make it in this country. Now that I am a college student it is more apparent every day that if i were not pushing myself then I would have to settle for a career that would not pay as much. That is a good indication that a lot of the time we are limited to what we can "Achieve" or how much money we can make merely because of our choices. Now yes there are some people who are not well of because of bigger issues but I personally feel that a lot of Americans become lazy with all the help that they can receive by being i the lower class.I may be going out on a limb by saying this stuff but i feel a lot of it is personal drive. But regardless the class system is there and there are no signs of it going anywhere.
ReplyDeleteAnissa Myers 100:04
I can definetly say that there are different classes in America. Although they aren't as distinct as classes in other countries, they can be seen. The low being the poor midwages which represents a good bit of American's today and the upperclass who are making more than the average person in America and are living wealthily. Even though classes are not really discussed in America they are def still there. I do believe in the statement that everyone can achieve that "American Dream" but you have to work at it and many people can not and will not do what they need to do to achieve that. Many people may not even have the money to do so and it's sad that money is needed in order to achieve those dreams these days. So class is shown there. The people with the money are the ones attending school and ones without are caught doing what they need to do to get by. Classes are present in America but just not seen as clearly as in other places.
ReplyDeleteHanna Simane 100.05
There clearly are classes in America. There is lower, middle, and upper classes. Just because they arent spoken about daily doesnt mean they dont exist. Sometimes its just hard to determine which class they fall in. You can obviously notice the very rich people are labeled as the upper class, and the people on the streets are the lower class, but as far as the middle class its hard to determine because the middle class has such a wide variety of people. One major conflict between classes is they all want to have more money no matter what class they are already in. They poor want to be rich and the rich want to be richer. Unfortunalty it is easier for the upper class to keep climbing the latter then for the lower class to work their way up from the bottom.
ReplyDeleteMegan Long
PSCI 100.03
Although I believe there are different classes, I feel the issue is not discussed often because as American citizens we are blessed with the ability to better ourselves. You can call it the “American dream” or even some blinding ideology that is keeping us from facing the real issues in our country; however, you cannot ignore the reality of the opportunities this country provides. Yes, there is poverty and for those without an education it may seem as if they are the victims of an oppressive and hopeless class system. However, the difference between other countries and capitalist countries like our own is that these same people who feel trapped can help their children achieve what they could not. By encouraging them to take advantage of our public education system and by teaching them to work hard to achieve their goals, parents can enable their children to rise above their class status and improve their lives. If you need more proof, research the stories of other self-made people like Ursula Burns (CEO of Xerox), Joseph P. Kennedy (grandson of Irish immigrants, self-made millionaire, and the father of President John F. Kennedy), Howard Schultz (CEO of Starbucks), Sheldon Adelson (the chairman and chief executive of Las Vegas Sands), Oprah Winfrey, and Abraham Lincoln.
ReplyDeleteAaron M. Ladd
PSCI 100.05
I believe that there are classes here in the US. It's something that is not talked about much because for the most part we do live together harmoniously. I definately believe that the capitalist are winning over the other classes because they are the ones that do less but make more. Due to the recession many working people and middle class people have lost their homes and jobs. You don't necessarily see many celebrities or buisiness owners losing everything they have worked for, and have to live on the streets. It may happen, but you don't hear much about it. There are a few capitalists they may look down upon the other classes because of where they shop or how they dress, such as Paris Hilton. She's probably never seen a Walmart or Kmart.
ReplyDeleteSecily Butts
PSCI 100.05
I think that the classes in the United States are quite obvious. I see our country divided into four classes. There are clearly the obscenely rich and homeless people. As for the classes inbetween (the middle and the lower/working class) they kind of just blend in. Because these two classes are the majority of our population, and the fact that most people are in the middle or working classes, the issue of protecting or bettering life for the proletariate class is not even really an issue. The majority of us also do not bother with worrying about the lack of taxes that the upper class, or the really rich people, have to pay in comparison with the taxes that just about everyone else has to pay. Our country is mostly blind to the rich and the poor because they are not the majority and we are naturally selfish and therefore only worry about ourselves or our class interest.Unless bothering with the upper or lower classes benefits the majority (the middle classes) then they don't seem to be of issue in this country.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Trupo 100.03
I definitely think that there are classes within American society but like many of the people said on here, I don't believe that people are upfront about what class that they are in. The three classes within America are the upper class, the middle class, and the lower class, with the capitalists being in the upper class and the poor being in the lower class. Even though each class has very different people residing in it, I don't believe that there is a class struggle. It is the norm to deal with the fact that the upper class is going to have more luxuries and most likely control what happens to the classes below them. For example, the middle and lower classes always elect people from the upper class to represent them in congress. I stated that there isn't a class struggle, but I do feel as if the middle and lower classes tend to be frustrated with the way that the upper class is treated. I mean, famous actors and actresses don't have to get drug tested before they make movies even though they make millions of dollars per movie, yet I have to get drug tested every month for a job that I only make $7.35 an hour for. It seems pretty unfair, but I don't feel like it'll never change because the people of America want to live in a society of peace.
ReplyDeleteKelly Sweeney
PSCI 100.05
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteClass does exist today in the USA even though people don’t talk about the different classes. The upper class is the one who make a lot of money such as professional sports players and others. The middle class is the people who work and still live comfortably without making as much as the upper class. The lower class is the people who have no jobs or have jobs but don’t make enough money. Also the richer just keeps getting richer but the others are either staying the same or getting poorer. The middle and lower may not have the money to invest in order to make more money, but the upper just wants even more than they have. It is a class struggle because people are either trying to get by with the money they make or have more than they could ever need. The upper class would be on top because they already have the money.
ReplyDeleteAshley Mellott
PSCI 100.03
Like the majority, I think that classes still exist today. The rich just keep getting richer and the poor stay poor. The rich pay taxes, just like the rest of us, but after so much is paid, they aren't taxed on the rest of their money. While everyone else doesn't make nearly enough to catch this break, the people who CAN afford to pay don't have to. This will be an on going struggle that we as America won't ever fix unless we change the way we approach out money situations. Other countries as discussed in class seem to have a way figured out to reduce unemployment and the poverty rate and their way seems absurd to us, but it works for them. If poorer countries can take care of this problem, I don't see why America can't as well.
ReplyDeleteCaitlynn Costantino 100.4
In today’s society, the gap between the upper classes and lower classes is considerably larger than that of society in the early 1900s. Quality of essential things such as education, transportation, housing, and food continues to effect the growth of this gap. Because of the reduction in quality in society, the likelihood of someone who is born into the middle class climbing their way into the upper class become less and less. So, not only is there division in classes in the United States, but the likelihood of moving up within those classes is lower now than it has ever been and is most likely to become even harder in the coming years. As long as the rich keep receiving tax breaks and bailouts by the government, the money that could have been used to attack the issue of homelessness and poverty in America is wasted and the gap cannot be mended. Also, the idea of being blinded by ideology is a big reason for the class division in America. Without the knowledge and initiative in the society to tighten the gaps in class division in the country, it can never be eliminated. Many years of political struggle and unrest will be the only way to reverse the capitalist society that America is based solely upon.
ReplyDeleteSheridan Webb, PSCI 100.05
Having been born into the lower class with a single mom who had no college education, and then growing up in the middle class when she married a man who "pulled himself up from the boot straps" I absolutly believe in and see America's different class systems. And although many people do have the dreams of the white picket fence, many more do not have the means in which to obtain this. This nation is becoming more and more individualistic and greedy with every generation; with this, the middle class is disappearing. Wealth is valued differently than before, it's no longer enough to have a strong support system or come home to a homecooked meal, but instead it's being able to buy the lastest gadget, name brand clothes, having TiVO and going to a job that pays for all these things, even though we hate what we are doing. Living in the upper lower class again I see the things that are more important than money, my goals are simply to live comfortably with not too much but not living pay check to paycheck and do not mind working hard in order to obtain these goals. I do not see things changing in the furture because that would mean the rich admitting their faults and being willing to sacrifice some zeros from thier unlabored paychecks; as well as the working classes becoming more involved and taking a stand, while continuing to do the best they can.
ReplyDeleteClass and economic separations and struggles have existed for as long as we have known and will ever know in this country. The distinctions of class obviously come from the amount of income our individual households bring in. Most of us students probably belong to the middle and upper-middle classes. Industrial cities like Washington D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles, where the upper and wealthy classes primarily live, have a much higher standard of living than Shepherstown, WV and the surrounding areas. However, because of the higher standard of living in those areas, we find more people who cannot afford that standard and belong to the lower and poor classes. The wealthy class is obviously winning the “class war”- they have the cars, the house, the jobs, the income, and the services. I believe classes living harmoniously depends on who, what, when, where, and why. There are so many bias, racist, and discriminating factors varying between classes that harmonious living depends on the circumstance given, morals, and background of the people in the community. It is possible though. We can all have our own goals in life, but the paths we take in life, good or bad, ultimately lead us to where our interests lie – be it someone chooses drugs over a job or family over money. Sometimes, people are not provided with the same opportunities as others, which is unfortunate, but with hard work, dedication, and sacrifice, anyone can go from worse to bad to good to better to best – it’s possible. If there’s a will, there’s a way.
ReplyDeleteCayce Martin PSCI 100.04
Economic Classes have always been present and will continue to always be present. While the distinctions between classes are not necessarily obvious there is still major differences between the polar ends of the spectrum. With things such as regressive taxation in place this only makes our problems more extreme. The rich will continue to gain wealth why the poor will lose what little they do have. The "pull yourself up by your boot straps" mentality is what has lead us to this on going problem. The common thought is that each individual is responsible for furthering their position within society. However, some start with inadequate resources where others start with abundant resources. This unfair advantage however, has been present since the beginning of time. Sometimes its not what you know but who you know that makes your better off. This is why there will be a consistent class struggle and class gap in this country.
ReplyDeleteIn America today there are classes that exist. I think people do not really notice the class as much because they are not talked about every day. It is crazy how much of a gap there is between the upper class and the lower class. The classes are very unequal I don’t think everyone should be in the upper class but I would like to see more of the lower class move up into the middle class. Most of the lower class has no way of really moving up and have no chose, because they were born into their class. They o not have the resources and needed thins often to move up.
ReplyDeleteWayne fleming
I think for lack of better terminology, we can say that we have classes. There are people that are extremeley rich, people well off, those that just make it by, and then those that have nothing. Yet, even though people struggle to move up...there is definitely a way for them to. It is because of either pure laziness or they just want things the easy way. Well, sorry. Nothing is free in life, you have to work for it. Even if you are born in a 'lower class', you can rise to the middle or even upper classes. In fact, a lot of billionaires made their money from scratch. They put a lot of hard work into where they are now. Sure some people may have gotten 'lucky' and were born into a rich family. That is just the luck of the draw and most likely their parents or grandparents were the ones that earned the money the hard way.
ReplyDeleteThere are for sure economic classes in America today. I do not think that they live together harmonously because there is such a difference between them. Not only does America have the poor, the middle class and the wealthy but each class is clearly defined by one another. For example, in America to be considered in the poor class you have no house, live off of food stamps or no food, and no job. To be a middle class, it means you make enough to support a family, have a job/own a business and live well. To be consdiered wealthy, you are a millionaire/billionaire or a movie actor of some sort who has a bunch of money to spend. If there was to be a class struggle the wealthy would defintely be on top winning because they have so much money they don't even know what to do with it. I think free trade is a good thing considering if we had to pay to trade goods the US would have a lot of trouble considering we are trillions in debt. We only have so many goods we can trade with one nation to recieve more back. I think that there is a distinct difference in all of the economic classes and that each class could care less about another because they are trying to either maintain status or move up.
ReplyDeleteChristina Ferrara PSCI 100.03
There is definitely a struggle between classes today. It may not be like it was in the times of the Iron Heel, but you can look on the streets of any city today and see the class struggle. There are homeless people sittin on the side of the road or in homeless shelters, and the people with plenty of money in their pockets that walk past them like they're not even there. Today, we do have the same three classes that have always existed; the rich, middle class, and the poor. The rich are usually business owners,doctors, lawyers, or presidents of major corporations. The middle class is usually factory workers, assistants, or desk clerks. The poor may be cashiers, or people that use to be middle class and have lost thier jobs because of our economy. Although, there are ways for people to work their way up, it is a struggle for the people that weren't born into money.
ReplyDeleteAshley Everts PSCI 100.04
I believe that there are different classes in the United States, but I do not believe there is a class struggle. I believe there are four classes though; low, middle, upper, and upper upper. Low, middle, and upper are all self explanatory, but the upper upper is different. These big business owners and such own most of the wealth of the nation. I believe these people should have to be taxed more or have some control on the amount of money they can make. But besides this class, there is no battle for class supremencey or fighting. The reason for this is that because the US is a free market and has labor regulations and some government control anyone can go from the lowest class to the middle or upper class. And if someone in the middle or upper class loses there job then they can become lower class. The only class that can not change posistion is the people that are so wealthy and control so much business or money. This is why I believe there are economic classes in America, but there is little or no class struggle involved.
ReplyDeleteThe comment above posted by sbeatty3 was me I forgot to put my name on it.
ReplyDeleteSam Beatty
100.04
In the U.S. classes do exist, but they are not permanent structures. Individuals are able to change their class throughout their life cycle. Individuals have the chance to advance in life through hard work and dedication. With other countries you are born into your class in the us the class can change dependent upon the person. That's why I think we don't speak about classes in the U.S. because we are not tied to one or another.
ReplyDeleteMarChell DeShong 100.04
It is undeniable that different classes exist in America however, individuals are not restricted to the class they are in. Every individual, in theory, is given the opportunity to change their current class status. I say in theory because more often than not individuals will remain in the class they are in. The middle class will probably not become millionaires, and the poor will most likely never reach "middle class" status. Take a homeless man for example, he will have a difficult time changing his status because he will not have the means to dress appropriately for a job interview, he will not have a means of transportation, and most employers would not hire a man right off the streets. Therefore, although Americans are "promised" freedom and the pursuit of happiness, this man will most likely never have the opportunity to change his status or class. Although it may be behind the scenes in America, a class struggle is going on, and I highly doubt that will ever change.
ReplyDeleteKindra Bittle
ReplyDeletePSCI 100.03
There are class differences, obviously, there is the upper, middle and lower. The upper class holds most of the money in the United States, they have generations of wealth and success in their family. The middle class is practically gone from today's society in the United States. The middle class is the working class and we send all of our work out of the country for a cheaper price. Then comes the lower class which are people in the service industry, they don't make enough money and are part of the aid to our poverty level. There are distinct differences to the classes in our society, causing struggle. The people don't all have the same opportunity and although they don't always get along they are able to peacefully coexist.
Well I personally feel that there really is a class struggle in this country. The modern workers use so much effort for just enough reward to survive. Sometimes they can't even meet basic needs. While those that are middle class live in nice houses and drive nice cars and can have whatever they'd like to have. The upper class is the smallest number of people but have th biggest percentage of the money. These people can have many houses all enormous many cars all of which are outrageously priced. And not only do they not want for anything but they buy stuff they don't even want and won't ever use. I feel the struggle is not much of a struggle more like just a poor way of life.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Harley 100.05
Although we dont talk about classes in America does not mean they dont exist. There are the upper class like celebrities that work for nothing and get paid 10 times as much as the middle/lower class. Everyday there are people losing there jobs, going homeless, and dying for starvation, but what do we do about it? Charity? Charity only goes a certain distance, we shoould be helping the poor by getting them homes, not walking by and handing them a dollar..what is that going to get them. We spend most of our time wasting money on things we dont need like fancy cars and vacation homes, and dont realize what other people face day to day. Although we dont talk about different classes in America, they are still there. So what are you going to do about it?
ReplyDeleteAshley Eckenrode 100.05
Americans are not very fond of talking about politics or class struggle. It reminds them that America isn't so great as they put off it to be. Many people live in poverty and yet not much is done about it. Yes we have homeless shelter but that can only go so far. There will always be the rich, all high and mighty. The poor will just continue on the way trying to make it throught. The working class will go about doing their jobs and not much else is said. Ernest does make a valid point between the captialists and the working class. The Capitalists don't know what it's like to not be on top. America will never be perfect but people will surely try and make it seem that way.
ReplyDeleteAlicia Watts 100.04
I agree that there are definitely class in the US. I also agree that the classes (upper class and lower class)are still around. Where the change comes in is that now there is a middle class and the majority of people fall into that class. Even with this new class the struggle is the same, the small upper class have most of the money while everyone else significantly less. While the division of money is extremely uneven the struggle to survive is much less.The lower and middle class while not having as much money as the upper class still have enough to live on, the standard of living as improved.
ReplyDeleteSusan Stout 100.5
yea I agree with the most of the class because their is definitely some sort of class system in the United States. It may not say lower, middle, and highest class but im sure everyone seeing the difference in one class from another. Highest class comsume of doctors, dentists, and high level contractors. Middle could be maybe salesman, teacher, or officer sitter. The lowest class could be made up of fast food workers, janitors, or plumbers that my make very little to lowest wage in America.
ReplyDeleteIn the USA there are definitely are social classes. There is an upper class, a middle class, and a lower class. The upper class only consists of about 2%. The middle class is collapsing due to the economy, and that is where the lower class is. The standard of living is not at its worse, but I do not agree with Susan when she says it has improved. I see the improvement only being minute. I agree with Trae as the comment states the work positions in each class system. Anyone can succeed in our society, but unfortunately, the class system can be a disadvantage because the upper class will always prevail.
ReplyDeleteAmy Sultner PSCI 100.03
There are definitely different classes in America although they may not be as distinguishable as classes have been in the past. In America, there are the filthy rich like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Donald Trump. These people own large companies that generate a ridiculous amount of revenue. There is also a lower class that can be defined by those who are homeless, poor, on welfare, or simply just do not make that much money. Between these two is a large gray area. The proletariat or working class and the middle class comprise the majority of the population. The upper class does very little hands on work; the poor face life and death situations on a regularly basis; the rest of the people in the gray area struggle to get by and to make enough money to provide for a family. It appears as though the Upper Class, the rich, the few, control a majority of what goes on whereas the middle class has little say in what happens.
ReplyDeleteZachary Roach PSCI 100.04
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteClasses do exist in America, and they are definitively defined. Poor, low middle, middle, upper middle, wealthy, and extremely wealthy. As far as class struggle I think it exists. Maybe a little between no raises and more responsibility from the capitalists to the working class. I believe that everybody strives to move up the socio/economic scale but in today's economy it is much harder to do so. Many people are dropping which makes me believe that people should be happy with what they get as of right now. The government should implement a progressive tax as we talked about in class but that will NEVER happen because "our leaders" are all very wealthy and they would lose money if they get taxed more. We are a selfish group and until we as Americans think a little bit more about Americans rather than how it benefits me, we will be in a class struggle.
ReplyDeleteLevi McDonald PSCI 100.03
I think that there are both class politics that does exist in the USA, and there are economic classes in America aswell. The classes do not get along very well because the rich are getting more wealthier the middle class wages are going down and the poor are getting more poor. The reason for this is the politicians in the house and senate making laws and regulations to help benefit the capitalist class. Everyone in the house or senate is apart of a wealthy background. Everyone wants money in this world but some people have to work less and some people work more. It is how it works in the world. Although, some capitalist want more money which I have no idea why, they already have all the money they want. This is why the Capitalist class in America is winning over everyone else as it was in the Iron Heel. Personally I think that the most wealthiest people in the world should create jobs. Start american factories build railroads. At the end of all that they would be doing America a good thing. We wouldnt have to buy from foreign countries and produce more revenue for the USA, which would decrease our national debt.
ReplyDeleteJoshua Labuhn PSCI 100.03
I agree with the defining of social classes in America: the poor, the middle-class, and the wealthy. However, I do not think that one person is defined to one class. One can be "born" into a certain class, but he/she can define his or her own social status because he/she can progress from one class to another. With that being said, classes still don't live harmoniously because the poor want money they do not have, the middle class wants more money than they get, and the wealthy want an overload of money; this is unreasonable because it is hard for the poor to find decent work, the middle class does not get paid fairly for the amount of work they put in, and the wealthy get paid an enormous amount for arguably the same amount of effort middle-class citizens put in.
ReplyDeleteAlaina Meserole, PSCI 100.05
I do believe that there is different classes in America.Upper, Middle and Lower. I believe it can come from three places. Where your from and where you work and how you earn your money. Upper class is of course the doctors, celebrities, and lawyers and such that live in the gated community, who have pretty grew up in the same type of living situation as a kid. Then you have the middle class, which is the people who maybe living paycheck to paycheck. The teachers, the police officers and fire fighters. Pretty much the civil servents of our world. Then you have the lower class, the people in shelters, on the streets and are still searching for a job. So whether we want to believe it or not. There is class system and we are all apart of it. However, as college kids with the all the means to get what we want. We are in moment where we can choose what class we will be in.
ReplyDeleteCourtney Pepperling
PSCI 100.04
There is most definitely different classes in America. We typically have 3 different classes. These classes consist of the lower, middle, and upper classes. Starting from the bottom up, the lower class is at the bottom. The people who are part of this class usually dont have much of an income and are struggling to even get by. This class has the lowest standard of living, which is not a bad thing. Then, you have the middle class, who has a steady income, they dont get to have all life's finer things but they get by comfortably. Then we have the upper class, who is full of wealthy people. These people typically live in the nicest homes and have the opportunity to have the finer things in life. These people really dont have much to worry about because the rich stay rich. These are the three classes that have originated in todays America.
ReplyDeleteThere will always be a separation of classes no matter what the government does to try and help. today we have two separations in my eyes, the upper class and the lower class.the lower class are the people who are struggling just to get by and spend ever cent they make on the necessities. while the upper class has so much money they spend and spend without caring if they can make it tomorrow. in the U.S. today these classes are hard to identify but are in every state across the nation. no matter what we do we will always be apart of this system
ReplyDeleteRobert Hayes PSCI 100:04
I believe economic classes exist and are very evident in America. We have the upper, middle, and lower class. There is a struggle between the classes because I have heard firsthand complaints regarding the classes. I believe that there is a class struggle and that the middle class suffers the most. The rich obviously have the money to pay high taxes and still be financially stable and the lower class receives government aid and food stamps to help them out. However, the middle class struggles the most because they are neither rich enough to afford to pay taxes and money to support the poor nor poor enough to be eligible for government help. Like in The Iron Heel, there is class struggle.
ReplyDeleteJenna Peck
100.04
There are definitely classes in America. However the division between those in the upper class and everyone else is so extreme that class struggle seems to exclude the few millionaires and even fewer billionaires in our nation. Instead, we tend to focus our energy in the desire to live comfortably somewhere in the middle class. Though the middle class is typically seen as one level, it's in reality, formed of many sub-levels from the lower-middle to the upper-middle class. So it seems to me that a majority of people are striving not for the unreachable upper class, but would be happy if they reached the upper level of the middle class.
ReplyDeleteMiranda Beahm
PSCI 100.05
In advance, sorry this is so long! I tried to make it shorter, but just couldn’t figure out what I could leave out of the spectrum.
ReplyDeleteClass struggle in the USA encompasses more than economics. It involves education. Not only do the upper classes (the capitalists) have contempt for those who don't have money, but for their lack of education. Class struggle also deals with an individual idea of self worth.
The conflict of interest lies in whether the capitalists are willing to fund the lower classes (proletariats) in their quest for an education to enable them to pursue better paying jobs, more accumulated wealth, more opportunities for their children.
Capitalists, although they offer some resources for the poor, like soup kitchens, shelters, government assistance (formerly "welfare"), libraries, public education, know it is in their own best interests that the working poor do NOT benefit from these in any broad sense. Capitalists do not want to be on equal footing with the lower classes because then they would not have power over someone else. The capitalists would have to share their abundant choices with others.
I have worked for law firms which looked down upon applicants who had a very good undergraduate education and law school education because they didn’t attend “the right schools.” I have known well-educated and dedicated teachers, librarians and social workers who are poorly paid but would neither qualify for the capitalist class, nor the traditional working class. I worked for a non-profit that provided on the job training which included paid internships, resume writing, and practice interviews for recipients of government assistance. All of these groups were well aware of what they had, didn’t have, and what they needed to give them self-worth.
Is class struggle harmonious? In many instances, yes, but mostly it's a silent struggle when the classes encounter one another.
Personally, I have experienced the class struggle on many different levels and in a number of different areas. As a child, my parents lived at the poverty line while my father was a steel mill worker in Pittsburgh. He had served in the US Air Force for two tours of duty in Vietnam, but that did not qualify him for a decent wage upon his return. His experience with the labor unions didn’t pan out either. At one point, the union forced everyone to strike (unpaid) for four weeks and the outcome was a five cent raise. Even in the late 1960’s, you can imagine how long it would take to recoup the lost wages and begin to see the effect of that nickel increase. When he re-enlisted in the Air Force, he was able to go to college and work his way up the job ladder to a white collar job and a better life for his family, but not one that included college for myself or my siblings.
Dee Pierce
PSCI 100.03
Part II
ReplyDeleteAfter many years of working at low level administrative and non-profit jobs, my ex-husband secured a position with a fast rising dotcom company in 1998 and at one point, our portfolio was worth over $4 million, and we had more than $500,000 in the bank. I thought I would never worry again, my children would have everything they needed, etc. For me, my life did not change – I personally did not engage in the conspicuous consumption that many colleagues and friends were caught up in at that time. I started college funds for my kids, bought some new furniture and books, donated to St. Jude’s and left it at that. Unfortunately, a turn of events which included my ex’s spending habits, bad investments (the ex’s, not mine), and overall bad choices like not working (again, his), in 2008, I found myself applying for government assistance for health care for my children, food stamps, and facing home foreclosure. Divorced, I moved in with family members who have afforded me the opportunity to attend college full-time and give my children a home in a middle class neighborhood.
So, I have lived at poverty level, middle class level, affluent level, and back to poverty level again. At the moment, I’m not sure where I would classify myself.
According to my economic status, I am poverty level, not even working class, since I’m not employed; the class statistic of women and children living on government assistance while my counterpart (my ex-husband and father of my children) lives fairly well on his new $60,000 a year job. (Child support and government involvement in it is another story.)
According to my living arrangements, I am middle class – nice neighborhood, attending college full-time, making sure my kids practice their flute and piano lessons, and go to Girl Scouts every week.
Where do I fit in? I don’t believe class relies strictly on economics. I am gaining an education, and I have what I think is even more important in any class – a sense of self-worth and enough ideology to know that no-one is immune to the effects of class.
Dee Pierce
PSCI 100.03
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIan Hickman 100.05
ReplyDeleteThe United States has classes and I never see that changing. There will be differences, inequalities, and struggles among our citizens inevitably forever. This is driven mainly as a result of education level/quality, but influential factors upon education success must not be forgotten: family, resources, income, environment, ect. In most cases, education level determines the success of an individual financially, and financial security and success sets the upperclass apart from the middle, and the middle apart from the lower class. If one were to examine the differential in income per year, they would see statistically that the higher degrees of education (Doctorate degrees) make the most and compose of the top fifth of the population along with college graduates that obtained a bachelors degree or higher. Those who receive some college education make up the upper middle, those who receive high school degrees, make the middle and lower middle-class, and those without a high school degree compose of the lower class. As you can see there is a direct correlation between class, education, and an individuals financial success. However, as I noted earlier, there is inequality in the means and accessibility of meeting these goals, as it is unfair to assume a South-East DC inner city student has an equal oppurtunity to make it to college let alone receive an advanced degree, as would a student coming out of Loudoun County or Fairfax County where the education systems are nationally recognized. Also, an inner city environment presents more day to day struggles than that of the upper-class suburbia. One may say that "we should pull ourselves up", but until an individual has lived a day where the food, clothes, and safe shelter isn't guaranteed, I believe that is an arrogant and unintelligent statement to make...you can't just pull up out of certain situations, it's the reason poverty exists (and has always existed) even in the United States (the political/economical mecca of the world). There is no simple solution, but something must be done to provide a more equal opportunity for the youth of the nation to receive a high quality education regardless of location, and begin to close the gap of socio-economic classes. Maybe less funding on the war-on-drugs in america,( which spins in circles because drugs will never be rid of in this country), and more funding for the children to give them the knowledge and wisdom to make smart decisions in and outside of the classroom.
There are definitely still classes today. Any time you have a separation of groups you will find clashing amongst the groups especially when you bring money into the equation. The lower class is always struggling, but they have some benefits with social services even if they are not adequate. As far as the middle class many of the people are struggling just to survive. They make just enough money not to be able to receive the social aide, but don’t make enough money to really pay all of their bills just to have the basic necessities. At the same time we have our government giving large tax breaks to the upper class that have no problems supporting themselves or their families. There seems to be a huge discrepancy with the tax breaks and welfare benefits. I feel that the government needs to pay more attention to the needs of the people who live in this country and stop giving the upper class the tax benefits. I feel that people who are not struggling financially are not really aware of how inadequate the social programs are. There are so many people who don’t make enough money to survive, but they make just enough to not get any benefits. I also feel it is easy for politicians to say they are giving as much support as they can to social programs and then flying on their personal jets to travel and have all kinds of outrageously expensive luxuries and yet it is the social programs that seem to get cut first when there are budget concerns. I feel that this is a huge problem within the United States.
ReplyDeleteKaren Martin PSCI 100.04
Kathryn Stevens
ReplyDelete100.04
I believe that there are different economic classes. There are the poor, middle class, and the rich. The poor are either homeless or working a minimum wage job like McDonalds. They have a hard time providing for themselves or their family. There is a middle class that works a pay higher than minimum wage like teachers or doctors that have a decent living and can afford to care for themselves. They live a life where they can afford to spend a little. Then there is the rich like CEO’s who own million dollar companies. They can afford to have their fancy planes and boats. They can have a summer house in the Bahamas and a house in NYC. I feel that they are sometimes handed the money like from generations. There is always going to be a class that has to work for a living. They are the ones in the factories or making your food.
Courtney said "However, as college kids with the all the means to get what we want. We are in moment where we can choose what class we will be in."
ReplyDeleteVery good point! You realize that you have an opportunity in front of you - and you can choose your path!
Dee Pierce
PSCI 100.03
Although there aren’t clear divisions of class systems in the everyday life in the United States there still exists class systems in the American society. There aren’t really any class distinctions but there are some nuances of its existence. The obvious like Bill Gates and such it is obvious where they stand in the social economic class system in the United States. But as time is progressing and the economic state that the United States and the world is in, I think that division is slowly beginning to show. The gap between the poor and the wealthy is beginning to widen. As we have learned in class about how in government it kind of is the wealthy in power more so than the average man making the decisions, that kind of in a way shows how the higher class is in charge. The upper class is winning in a way whereas the middle and lower class are struggling to survive because the upper class are financially stable. Taxes and such have a greater impact on the lower and middle class but decisions are being made by upper classman. I believe that there is a struggle between the classes.
ReplyDeleteSofia Khan
PSCI 100.5
As an upper middle class individual I can kinda see what both sides are talking about. Where I live there are few individuals who are in the upper class, but the ones who are happen to own just about everything. The majority of the population is either part of the lower middle class or actually the poverty ridden class. These individuals usually work for what they have but sometimes you see an individual that just thinks it will come to them. In reality it won't. Most individuals know what hard work is because of the rural background. Although the upper class may have worked hard to get their wealth in the beginning it is now the second or third generation that has inherited the wealth. Thus creating a sysytem where most of the wealthy in our society doesn't come from hard work. It comes from getting lucky.
ReplyDeleteDerek Buckley PSCI 100.03
Although we don’t specifically talk about classes, that doesn’t mean that they don’t exist; they do. In the USA there are three classes; upper, middle, and lower. While they exist, many people don’t necessarily say “I’m part of the ___ class.” One could say that classes exist by a standard of money; upper class has the most and lower has the least amount. There are struggles among almost every situation; however, I don’t think that the classes interact on a daily basis so it is hard to say where the struggles lie.
ReplyDeleteEmmi Shambeda PSCI 100.05
There have been and always will be economic classes in America. There is a wide gap between the rich and the poor which will never be lessened. Although these classes exist, I believe that we all live in harmony together. Without the smaller companies, the large companies may have never developed. The small companies sometimes grow into the biggest ones. Out of these growths, we learn and become stronger. I feel that there is no political struggle between the classes when we work together, however there is a political struggle among society as a whole. This, however, may not ever be overcome.
ReplyDeletePamela Smoot PSCI 100.04
Erik Peat PSCI 100.03
ReplyDeleteThere are still different levels of classes in america even though they are not as distinct as a lower, middle and upper class. Yet there are those who are stupid rich and those who have nothing and live on the streets to show the two sides of the extreme. But what about the people in between? Obviously doctors, mainly surgeons, make a lot of money. But the money they can make doesn't even compare to the amount that some business owners have and or make. Electricians, though you might not think it, also make a good deal of money, but what they make is only a portion of what doctors make. So what is the dividing line with these middle class men? its rather hard to say - one may go as far to say that there is no dividing line, but rather a grey area. It's really a question for debate because there are always someone elses personal opinion
I definitely think that there are economic classes in America. Although we do not go around as Americans and tell people what class we are in, they do still exist. There are major differences between the lower class and the upper class, and it would be obvious to someone the difference by looking at someone, and that is really sad. The lower class would probably be in not so nice clothing, and the upper class would be in very nice clothing. When people think upper class they think millionaires and billionaires, actors and singers. And that is so right. Middle class is right in the middle of lower and upper class. This is, I would say, what most people I know belong to. Middle class people are usually defined as people would could support a family, but have to work a full time job to do so. Even though people do not always mention economic classes, they do still exist.
ReplyDeleteLeigh Ann Nelson PSCI 100.03
In America today there are many different economic classes, as of right now. More than just upper, middle, and lower class, although those are the most distinct classes. Unfortunately upper and lower have extreme differences, and those differences are normally based on physical and material things. They are based on how a person looks and buys. Upper class I know personally I think of movie stars and musicians, CEOs and trust fund babies, and professional atheletes. The people who make a lot of money and tend to flaunt it. Middle class, has so many levels all on its own. Theres the upper middle class, the people who make a good amount of money, but not as much as the upper class. Lower middle class can also be considered part of the lower class. And the lower class nowadays is considered to be the lowest, or the most poor families in America. Unfortunately everyday people struggle with classification. But it is up for debate on what makes a family upper, middle, or lower class.
ReplyDeleteRebecca Scutt 100.03
In America today, there are many important issues that we need to discuss that we don't. One is class politics. The government doesn't seem to care about the lower class people in today's society. The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer.
ReplyDeleteThat gives rich people better opportunities. They are winning in the economy, while others are losing. The upper class people get tax breaks. I think that's rediculous. They have more money to contribute to taxes. Middle and lower class people don't.
If we don't fix this issue, a middle class won't even exist, because the middle class people will move to lower class.
Shayna Landis. Section 100.03
There are definitely different classes in America. We have one end, all the celebrities and heiresses, and on the other end we have those who struggle to support themselves. Everyday for them is a challenge to survive. And as we discussed in class those who are billionaires are taxed less than those who are working and living off minimum wage salaries. I think it's unfair, and that those earning more should be taxed more. They have millions and most have billions of dollars to spend as oppose to paying taxes they spend it on drugs, partying, unnecessary objects. Although I'm sure if they paid more for taxes they'd still have more than enough to splurge on whatever they desire. We do have three classes; upper, middle, and lower. And as most above have been saying- soon enough all the middle class people will unfortunately move down to lower class.
ReplyDeleteTheoni Kontos PSCI 100.03
there is no denying that classes to exhist in America even though they may not have the lables. There is a great deal of inequality in the capitalist world in which we live. I do not believe in complete equality like communism,but i do believe in shared prosperity and the government regulating a man making 10 billion dollars a year when we have people sleeping in a gutter. The only reason we do not portrude is because we feel that one day we could make that 10 billion. nobody ever thinks about the possibility of us one day sleeping in the gutter. I personally feel that the government is corrupt when it comes to the major amount of inequality we have here in America.
ReplyDeleteClasses do exhist in the United States. I feel that the older someone gets, the more set they get in their class. At a young age we are told about the american dream, when students such as ourselves are working our way through college and trying to get an education, i believe that we have the chance to set our own class depending on what our achievements are. With our degree and what ever ambition we have, we can set a new class for ourselves. I feel as though there will always be some sort of class strugle, you can see it in big cities where housing is.. you hardly ever see rich people next to homeless shelters. i feel as though there will always be a class strugle because everyone wants to keep what they feel is theirs
ReplyDeleteColin Springer PSCI 100.03
There is without a doubt a class dividend in America. America is split into three classes; the lower, the middle, and the upper. Of course everyone may fall into a category, but is it really right to classify someone into a group? The lower class may not make that much money but they would still get by. The only thing that classifies differences between the middle and upper class is money. I honestly see no difference between the two except money. A middle class person and an upper class person would still have the same life. For example, a wealthy person and someone who is not of much wealth could still go to college. Both people would be getting the same education and working towards the "American Dream". To me, not being in the wealthy class simple states that people work for what they want and do not just get it handed to them.
ReplyDeleteMorgan Himmighoefer
PSCI 100.05
Yes I feel there is different levels of class in America and within those classes are conflicts that tend to lead to stuggles. For example, those in the upper class have better opportunities for higher learning, bigger houses, better cars, and better travel but don't want to be taxed as a higher class. It seems that the middle class has to work "harder" for their earnings and the lower class is deprived of opportunities that would allow them the chance to move up. America fails to address class struggles and conflicts because they are in denial that there is a struggle happening.
ReplyDeleteEven within classes, there tends to be some conflicts. For instance, football players make an absord amount of money living in huge homes, driving expensive vehicles, and living the rich life but they never attended a higher education level like physicians. Physicians payed a lot of money to get where they educaion wise and continue to pay high dollar for malepractice insurance but football players and physicians are lumped in the same class because of the money they make. This causes some tension between physicians as well as others who went through intense education to get where they are and football players who didnt have to go to grad school or even college for that matter.
Brittney Butler
PSCI 100.03
Classes do exist and there is a struggle. According to Bernie Sanders, the middle class is being overwhelmed by the upper class. These issues should be confronted. Either the government is trying to keep the country stable and keep people in line, or there are more serious problems. However, this is still serious.
ReplyDeleteVice President Joe Biden ensures us that the administration is hard at work to find a solution to this problem. Biden say "a strong middle class equals a strong America. He is leading the Middle Class Task Force, and they will be looking at policies to see if they are helping or hurting the economy.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/strongmiddleclass/
Christopher White PSCI 100.03
I think there are definately classes in America today. If there wasn't then there'd be no one who is impoverished and living in cardboard boxes. We range from the very rich to the very poor and yes there are some in the middle class. I believe, however, that the middle class is slowly eroding into the lower class due to the economic struggle going on right now. My mother, who is a government employee, makes a fair amount of money a year yet still struggles because the cost of living has gone up so much. Even in income based housing the rent keeps going up every year for the same services provided as before making it hard on the already poor. I think if something isn't done soon we will eventually have two classes, the very rich and the poor.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that everyone gets the same opportunity to reach "The American Dream" because education is going downhill and has been for awhile. Inner city kids don't always get the same education as the children in better neighborhoods that have the ability to hire better teachers and better supplies. This keeps them from getting into better colleges or even from trying sometimes because they know that their education is inferior to others.
Christine Pannuty PSCI 100.03
There are definitely different classes in America, without a doubt. Otherwise, poverty rates wouldn't be so high, and the amount of poverty and homelessness in the U.S. is ridiculous. Everyone is so focused on taking care of themselves and only themselves. Also, there are definitely benefits for the wealthier than the people in the lower to middle class levels. Like we discussed in class, after someone makes so much money a year, they aren't taxed a higher amount than someone who doesn't make $ 120,000 a year. There is definitely a form of capitalism going on in the U.S. and the wealthiest people are the ones benefiting from the class splits.
ReplyDelete-Jessica Meyers 100.05
I do think that there are social classes and I don't think the live without conflict. I think that there is constant struggle between all classes. For the lower and middle classes, the struggle is to move up in social class and to maintain a financially fit lifestyle. The upper class struggles to maintain power of their class and on a certain level attempts to prevent the lower classes from moving up.The capitalist idea of survival of the fittest only benefits themselves but even the lower classes believe in this. Everyone must achieve their success on their own.
ReplyDeleteLaura Bright 100.05
We all have the opportunity to 'attempt' to move up from the class you were born into. But there comes a point in which the average person has to work with what they were given their entire life without advancement. Unless you have athletic or artistic talent that pays well off the bat without working up the proverbial ladder then there is a high probability that you will reach a certain point in your career in which your advancement stagnates and you are literally stuck. And conflict between the classes definitely exists with profit-sharing struggles of capital and labour. Brandon Nicholas 100.03
ReplyDeleteI do believe there is a class struggle in the United States. I believe it takes money to earn money. Even though some of the richest people came from the bottom up and used their growing up poor as motivation to become somebody; most of the time it is the kids born into money and have everything handed to them that receive seed money and start their own corporation. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer most of the time. However, in our society there is typically always room to improve you standards in society and get back on your feet. For example with people going to college from a low income family organizations such as FAFSA are out there to help pay their way through and go up a notch higher in society. If you are homeless, there are food stamps, soup kitchens, half way houses, job corps, etc, out there to help get you back on your feet and help you improve your life.
ReplyDeleteMatt Santmier. PSCI 100.03
I definitely believe that there are economic classes in the USA and it has been around for a long time. There are the ones who make millions, even billions of dollars, to the middle class that live comfortably, all the way down to the people who make minimum wage or dont work at all. I dont think that all classes live together harmoniously because you wouldnt see a wealthy business man or a doctor living next to a rundown apartment duplex or in the inner city simply because they would not mesh with the lower class citizens in the same area. There will always be a barrier between economic classes in the USA and whether we like to believe it or not, some people will always think they are better than others based on how wealthy they are. I also dont believe that people start out having the same opportunities in life. 90 percent of the time you follow in your parents foot steps and you do what you are raised around. It would be ignorant to think that a child who grew up in the projects with no self discipline would have the same opportunities as a child who grew up in an upperclass neighborhood with a picture perfect family life. As we discussed in class, wealthy families who have the money to send their children to private schools where the education is much better and who easily have money to pay for college will most likey succeed at life but what abolut the people who barley have enough money to put food on the table? How do their children have the same opportunities? they dont. and since more taxes are taken from the middle class citizens rather than the upper class since they have more money, i think that the system is corrupt and will continue to be as long as their are such barriers between economic classes.
ReplyDeleteKassi Gardner 100.05
I have to say that I do agree with all the comments. As we all know, there is a class struggle in America. Not only because the poor people are making the rich richer, but also it’s about the government. As I mentioned earlier, I have lived in different countries, and something that really surprised me when I came back to live in the US, was that the only people able to get health insurance could be the middle class and definitely the rich class, but why can worker or poor class be able to have health insurance? Because it is too high for them to afford. In Europe, there are free clinics that you can go to, and it is as good as private ones. We all complaint about making the rich, richer, but would you buy clothing made in the US? Where people are paid minimum salary and just a T-shirt can cost about $50 or so? In this economy, I don’t believe that would happen. Although it could be a great idea to help our economy.
ReplyDeleteJorge Alvarez PSCI 100.03
There is class definietly class struggle going on in America today. Like we watched the you tube video by Bernie Sanders, pretty much said a lot. The less money you make the more you get taxed the more money you make the less you get taxed. It doenst make any sense. However, i also believe in that everyone has many opportunites to make that money and to go somewhere to get an education instead of just leaving of welfare or food stamps. There are places all over that will help start someones life again, but some people are just too lazy to do it. I see this a lot in Baltimore City, my family owns a small business in Lexington Market in the city and when i work there in the summer, i see plenty of mothers or fathers who will be "cracked" out and coming to spend there money only on more drugs or get snowballs to get there high sugar fix. Not spending it on things like clothes for their children, They will get there welfare check and go buy drugs with it. But there is definietly ecomnomic and class struggle and major differences even in neighboorhoods that people that everyone lives in. Or the rich kids wont be able to play in "that" neighboorhood" because its not of there class or higher standards. and that is sad.
ReplyDeletekasey mercier 100.03
It seems as if many posters believe that the poor are at a disadvantage when it comes to opportunities, which I believe to be true.
ReplyDeleteIf you are poor and have little to eat, no heat in your home, or are living in a shelter, you are severely disadvantaged when it comes to being prepared in school. For women living in a shelter, there are often not enough options when it comes to child care so that the women can interview for a job or work consistently.
I have seen children come to elementary school consistently, but bring no lunches or snacks. They do not have their homework done because no one was home to help them except an older sibling who was struggling with their own homework or helping the younger ones with dinner or a bath and bedtime because the mother was working, and no affordable child care was available. The odds are overwhelming for these types of families. They are even more overwhelming when they live in an area which has no public transportation.
But there seems to be a thin vein of "the opportunities are there if you work hard enough" attitude. Although there are social services available for those in need, sometimes they are exceedingly hard to find or get. For instance, there is not a homeless shelter in Harpers Ferry or Shepherdstown. The nearest one is Martinsburg. There is no soup kitchen in either of these towns.
In some states, obtaining services is extremely daunting and requires a pile of paperwork and a 3o day waiting period. Some agencies which have been mentioned are very limited in their capacity to help, for instance Job Corps only works with individuals who are ages 16 - 24. Halfway houses typically serve individuals who have suffered from addictions, mental or physical disabilities and do not house an average homeless person.
Once some of these people make it into a decent job or into a college program, they experience a huge social gap and it takes a strong person to bridge that gap.
I don't believe the adage of "Where there's a will there's a way" is applicable in all circumstances. For those who have no family or friends, and limited government resources, that "way" is strewn with obstacles we can only begin to imagine.
There is still class division in the USA. There are people that belong in the upper class that me a lot of money such as business owners and billionaires. There are also people in the middle class that work everyday that never get a break such as teachers, factory workers, doctors. Then there is the low class which doesn't really have anything at all. I think that at times there is class struggle. We don't have enough people helping out the lower class people and for those reasons more people fall in those categories. I think that everyone could help out a lot more and then we wouldn't have to worry so much about people falling down.
ReplyDeleteCourtney Owens 100.03
Classes definatly exist in the4 U.s. But the class you are born into is never set in stone. You can either move up or down class. With the way the economy is today most people are moving down. There are large gaps now between the lower, middle, and upper classes. The class you are in has to do with how much you make so really it is about what you do for a living and how hard you work.
ReplyDeletekristin knotts 100.05^
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone that had posted a comment before me. Class levels deffinately exsist here in the US today. Although they are not in the level of social classes but in the level of wealth. We have extremely wealthy individuals and then rather poor people. There is a difference between economic and social classes though. There is room to move, although I don't see very many people becoming extremely wealthy within a snap of a finger. More people are becoming poor and hardly making it any where through out. It's horrible to think our government does not care as long as they are fine.
ReplyDeleteLacie Sirk PSCI 100.05
America is most definitely divided into classes, determining how much money you have and what you do for a living. I don't think it's right to judge people on what they have or what they do. I think that there is low class, middle class, and high class. I think it is good that classes in the US are not commonly talked about and recognized. It is more like an understanding, you know what class you are in.\
ReplyDeleteMorgan Gabriel 100.05