They say you might live in a DC bubble so, just in case, the following is what is really happening to the so-called middle class.
I am sure you know this already but I wanted to share a view from the "middle class" neighborhood I live in.
We are getting by, but I think the HIGH COSTS of basics like utilities, real estate taxes, housing, MEDICAL insurance and co-pays, car payments, car insurance, property insurance, higher ed for our kids, and FEES for grade school, and various and sundry things towns and counties keep increasing are crippling us and the economy.
Our paychecks are eaten up by these unavoidable expenses.
Speaking of eating. We are lucky. Our kids are not the 1 in 6 that are food insecure, even hungry in America. However, moms have to be brilliant at stretching whatever remains of the family's income to make sure the kids get a balanced diet.
We don't need to mention the other necessities like clothing and the ability to enrich our kids lives. We can't afford much of that, but we are creative and manage.
So, Mr. President, may I suggest using the law to curtail unfettered greed and to stop using credit scores as excuses to charge us more.
Thank you for your concern. I think if what is left of the dwindling middle class wasn't nickled and dimed at every turn, the overall economy could improve immensely.
And if we can't use the law to curtail unfettered greed, there won't be a middle class to address for much longer.
I hope you have success and stop the greedy insurance companies, the Medical Industrial Complex, and corporations from bleeding us dry.
Sincerely
An on-the-ground citizen
Oh, I almost forgot. Here are two things I wish Congress, the IRS, Social Security, and you would fix immediately.
When Wall Street crashed our lives, we were forced to use 401ks and early retirement in order not to starve.
The IRS taxed the 401ks hugely (causing deliquent tax liabilities that balloon with fees and interest) because we were UNEMPLOYED. The IRS has NO mercy.
Older Americans that were suddenly jobless were forced into early retirement and will be penalized for the rest of their lives.
Congress could show some MERCY and fix these hardships for people who share no blame in the Crash of 2008.