CSM: American dream still burns bright for many – but results vary
American dream still burns bright for many – but results vary
Interesting article about how men in their 30s are earning less than their fathers did, but overall family income is higher because more women work.
They see new cars and plasma TVs and other accoutrements everywhere, and they want them, too. “I think there are more demands made upon them materialistically, and it’s harder,” says Ms. Curtis. “Things have gone up in price, and I don’t think salaries are commensurate with that.”
I think that paragraph explains a lot of the problem for folks in the middle class. When I was a kid most families had one car. Now they have two, or three. They had one TV, now they have five. It is more expensive to live like everyone else, but there’s plenty of money if you’re willing to give up a few luxuries. (I’m sticking to the middle class here, I know that minimum wage is a little trickier.)