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Yavin4

(36,738 posts) Thu Nov 21, 2024, 04:47 PM Nov 21

What exactly is the American working class? [View all]

Please define it and cite your sources. I think that we're all using various definitions and unless we have an accurate definition, we cannot scold the Democrats' messaging.

My definition would be low skilled, non-college worker whose lone asset is their weekly paycheck, i.e. no home, no retirement account, little to no savings. Bottom 25% household income.

--On edit--
So far in this thread, we haven't come up with an agreed upon definition of the working class, yet we scold Democrats for not messaging them. Maybe this is proof that the messaging is not the true problem.

39 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

What exactly is the American working class? [View all] Yavin4 Nov 21 OP

Anyone who works to get a paycheck, college or no. Blue Full Moon Nov 21 #1

So, if you're making $500K a year Yavin4 Nov 21 #2

I guess that depends on the cost of living in your area and whether you're living within your means /nt The Wandering Harper Nov 21 #3

The gap between the truly wealthy and the middle class has grown Johonny Nov 21 #8

I would consider upper management not. Blue Full Moon Nov 21 #6

Generally yes RJ_MacReady Nov 21 #4

"We" John Shaft Nov 21 #9

Not all non-college educated workers are also working class. Yavin4 Nov 21 #10

A lot of English majors work hourly jobs in the car factories. multigraincracker Nov 21 #11

I hate when people say this shit Dem4life1234 Nov 21 #28

I'd agree with your definition The Wandering Harper Nov 21 #5

I don't remember the source, The Wandering Harper Nov 21 #7

Your edit statement is true Dlpger61 Nov 21 #12

I'm college educated and retired MichMan Nov 21 #13

Same here Blue Full Moon Nov 21 #15

Do you have assets? Yavin4 Nov 21 #19

How does that change whether someone is working class or not? MichMan Nov 21 #27

Having appreciable assets mean that you're not dependent solely on your job for income. Yavin4 Nov 21 #30

What job? I'm retired. MichMan Nov 21 #34

What it actually means is the non-wealthy white people TheKentuckian Nov 21 #14

POC can't be working class by definition? MichMan Nov 21 #16

In a sane world, sure. In this one? C'mon you know who they are talking about in this one. TheKentuckian Nov 21 #39

Working class people know they are in the working class. Magoo48 Nov 21 #17

I think it used to mean Meowmee Nov 21 #18

I think that it comes down to pay, education level, and ownership of assets Yavin4 Nov 21 #21

Some plumbers make a fortune here Meowmee Nov 21 #23

Not even a very modest 401k of a few thousand dollars and a $4000 used car? MichMan Nov 21 #35

People who's survival and quality of life is determined by their job. wintemark Nov 21 #20

I guess I'd say if a worker gets a W-2. Hugin Nov 21 #22

I know someone making $150K a year and gets a W2 Yavin4 Nov 21 #24

The definition that H2O Man Nov 21 #25

Everyone has their own deffinition Zeitghost Nov 21 #26

Which makes political messaging impossible. Yavin4 Nov 21 #32

I'm going to ask google Mossfern Nov 21 #29

Now, ask it to craft a political message based on that definition.n/t Yavin4 Nov 21 #33

Really good wiki article defining "working class" LearnedHand Nov 21 #31

the context in which that phrase is used most of the time, ecstatic Nov 21 #36

The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern. Lord Acton Ping Tung Nov 21 #37

Work has changed. Office "factories" are common now. KentuckyWoman Nov 21 #38