I just finished the article Welcome to Middle-Class Poverty – Does Anybody Know the Way Out?
As a self employed middle-class person I’ve lived the reality of being ‘double taxed, no health insurance, and living from one gig to the next’ most of my life. I love what I do. I’ve been able to pay for all of my health needs out of pocket so far (knock on wood) including 2 births and a trip to the emergency room for food poisoning. If the government would stop giving hand outs and tax breaks to multinational and mega corporations (including agribusiness subsidies, oil and nuclear subsidies, wall street and banking subsidies, and big pharma subsidies), and instead invest that money in localized health care for all (NOT insurance), education -including learning local trades that produce consumer goods we’ll use right here in the USA, and then micro loans for the average person to use for local startup businesses to apply those trades, that would be a good start in turning this economy around.
I’ve worked hard and smart, and I know there are many others that would like to be in my shoes. I don’t make tons of money, but I make enough to provide for me and my family. Outside of making money, I’ve turned my small city lot into edible landscaping, and keep 3 hens in the backyard for eggs. I coordinate free clothing swaps so am a part of helping to create that “New Mutualism” discussed in this article.
We need to get off our collective butts and out from in front our TV’s and gadgets and ‘the good old days’ thinking, and find ways that we can be the change we want to see to build a better today and a better tomorrow. And that starts between our own ears, and what we are doing with our own time, talents, and abilities. And then how we are using those skills to help our neighbors and our community.
Big business, big government, and ‘big’ everything is going the way of the big dinosaur – it is on it’s way to extinction. Each of us needs to be working towards the next economy – which is based on mutual help, living local and respecting global, meeting as many of our needs ourselves and then gratefully bartering/trading/buying what we need from sustainable and caring businesses – locally and worldwide. We are moving from a ‘top down’ world to a ‘mutual respect’ world. The sooner we get on board, the easier the transition will be. And who knows – maybe even some of the big business and big government dinosaurs might choose to adapt and downsize before they destroy themselves 
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Yes I get that you meant in the work place, not dating. But the original poster did use the example of Julia Roberts getting what she wants from a man by using her femininity. I don't see that as strong. As you know she was a hooker? This comparison 
Hi Barb, I agree with you except for the health insurance issue. Hopefully things will change and everyone can buy at least catostrophic coverage soon in every state, but in the mean time, not having some health insurance coverage is a big gamble especially as we age.
I buy my own health insurance and it is expensive but I am thankful I have it. When I had breast cancer I had health insurance but since I was healthy and on no perscriptions I had a high co-pay and cap on drugs. I went through out of pocket $20,000.00 until I could change my health insurance benefits. I saw people who had no insurance and it was devastating for them.
I really do not understand people I meet who do not buy health insurance but buy a new car or boat with payments.
Then there are folks who will spend thousands of dollars a year on supplements but no health insurance!
It would be great if the USA had health care like the UK or other countries, but for now I think everyone over 45 needs to adult up and buy coverage!
Haralee – that’s great that you’ve found something that works for you. I can understand how having battled breast cancer, having health insurance gave you and continues to give you peace of mind.
I was reading awhile back how most cases of bankruptsy due to medical care were from people who already HAD insurance. I’m not sure if that’s because people who already know they are at risk are the ones who purchase health insurance, or why those statistics would be weighted that way.
My husband and I interveiwed several insurance agents from a variety of insurance companies. Had them come into our home, bring their statistics and sales notebooks and all that. Asked questions of them, took notes. What we learned from them was that statistically, MOST health problems people have are under $10,000, and most of those are under $5,000. Something like .5% of all medical costs over $10,000 were in the over $100,000 range. We also learned that in our state, it’s the LAW that you only have to pay $30 per month on your medical bills. Obviously, we pay the whole amount when we go in for check-ups and doctor appointments. We went in while I was pregnant and talked with the doctor and with the hospital and worked out a payment plan – and since we were cash pay we were given a discount of 25% and 30% respectively. We put money into savings so that we have a padded amount for any $5,000-$10,000 accidents (and had to dip into it for the emergancy room visit). And if I or my husband or child turns out to be one of the .5% of the over $10,000 people, then we will pay what we can up front, and then pay at least $30 a month until the bill is paid off, even if it takes us the rest of our life to do it. And isn’t that what insurance is – monthly payments for the rest of your life?
I could have written some of this myself and agree with you wholeheartedly. Hypothetically…What if we lived in a society of no insurance? No insurance what so ever. I know that is not a reality but we certainly would have real costs rather than the inflated that pays just for the cost of insurance. It all has gotten so out of hand because of the one element…the cost of insurance. We have paid out of pocket for medical and when we have suddenly the cost is lower. As a side note. We shocked the Drs office when we went in there with Cash…yes cash 40 100 dollar bills bills. That never happened to them before and really didn’t know what to think.
I live in New Zealand and I agree with you about the way we do need to change what we are doing to get us out of middle-class poverty.
New Zealand is a low-wage based economy however I do believe that we can still live comfortably.
When it comes to insurance – I am one of those self-sufficient nutritional supplement takers but I also have insurance just for those ‘out of blue’ unexpected things that may happen. So far, I have not had to make a call on it. I realise that our medical industry is quite a bit different to how it is in the USA.
I totally agree with you that if our country would invest in the health of its citizens and local economies rather pouring the tax contributions of the 99 percent into the already bulging pockets of the supremely wealthy 1 percent–who own those mega corps, we would all benefit. Our country, any country, really, would be far stronger. Our world economy would be stronger.
Especially, I appreciate what you say: “Be the change we want to see to build a better today and a better tomorrow. And that starts between our own ears, and what we are doing with our own time, talents, and abilities. And then how we are using those skills to help our neighbors and our community.”
As Alice Walker says, We are the ones we have been waiting for.
Thank you for posting this and sharing the article.