I know this is coming a little late, but I just got back into the office.
this message is in response to Mr. Tate's observations of middle class
rules. I think, Mr. Tate, that this is a complete oversimplification of the
meaning of middle class. I do agree with much of what you say, but...

I come from a middle class family. My family was never able to afford
private school, could not afford a house in a gated community, went on a
european vacation, never had fancy cars, or was able to get everything fixed
on them at any time we pleased,

This is not the exception, but the rule. Most people in the middle class
cannot afford those things you speak of.

In the United States, class consciousness is abhorrently low. the definition
of middle class in this country covers a specturm so wide, that it would be
impossible to consider everyone inside of that specturm as equal. Someone
that makes $50,000 a year is not the same as someone who makes $100,000 a
year.

The middle class you speak of, at least the points I brought up, is upper
middle class....and something that is the exceptio to the rule not the norm.



I do agree that the more money you have, the more money you can donae, you
have more time for civic engagement, may have artistic knowledge etc. I
completely agree with that.

I just cannot put everyone who is not poor and exorbitantly wealthy into the
same class.




-- 
Daniel Rizik-Baer
Family Literacy Coordinator
Children Youth and Family Collaborative
(818) 442-4407 cell
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