A Question for Politicians and Class Warriors: What Is Rich?

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To all the politicians, talking heads and ivory tower intelligencia who wax poetic about income inequality, incessantly attack the wealthy, and believe you know what's best for others. Answer this simple question: is this "rich"?

A family of three: a public school teacher and a medical office manager.

Both grew up in homes that fell on some very hard times.

One went to college; one learned on the job and moved up.

Both have worked hard for 4 decades.

They live in a modest two bedroom home that is 40+ years old.

Drive a paid off pick-up truck and a used 13 year old SUV.

The mortgage, power, water, insurance, food and other bills leave little for savings, if any.

Don't often take vacations, but if they do travel it is usually to see or help family. They rarely fly and have never been to Europe.

They scrimped to put their daughter through college without borrowing or taking on student loans.

Have never received public assistance and have little credit card debt.

Don't own a boat, motorcycle, second home, or wear extravagant designer clothes.

Do not have a HD flat screen TV, rarely go out to dinner, or attend shows.

They work hard, love their country, give to others in need, and pay more than their "fair" share to government.

Higher taxes, more costly health insurance, or inflation could easily wipe out their small retirement savings.

They wish they could get further ahead, but feel blessed with what they have; and are certainly not "bitter" at their stand in life or "cling" to their agreement with the Second Amendment or their Christian practices.

Sounds like a tough yet familiar life for many struggling Americans?

Many would say they are middle class at best.

But here's the catch...They earn a gross family income of $125,000 a year.

That's an income that puts them in the top 15% of wage earners in America - the so called "rich."

So class hustlers and liberal malcontents; for once in your life be honest with the facts. Is this "rich"? You know the answer and should be ashamed.

To all those arrogant, smug and condescending do-gooders who constantly attack, and impugn hard working American families like mine as "rich" to create class warfare, gain political power, and glorify your massive egos; it's time to "shut up." Or we, and many millions of other Americans, might just decide at some point to shut it for you.

Now that's rich.

Dean Kalahar recently retired from teaching economics and pyschology.  He has authored three books, including The Best of Thomas Sowell, a user-friendly guide to Sowell's insightful thinking on a wide range of social and political issues. 

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