Sick of the upper class bashing

[CheshireVal]

I think the true middle class are really the people that need to be helped the most, because they're the ones who are affected the most by things like the rise in energy costs, healthcare costs, etc... the lower/working class folks will qualify for assistance and the upper class will still have money to cover their needs and wants.

Exactly.

 

[simpilotswife]

I think what disturbs a lot of people here is that once some folks reach that upper class-they lose the capacity to say "There but for the Grace of God go I".

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Maybe there is poverty trashing as well but I certainly don't see people referring to them with such distaste or at least calling their cars and homes little names. Maybe I am wrong?

Kristine

That's because the poor doesn't have a home of their own and some cases don't even have a car.

Personally, I do see bashing about both sides.
But, it's the CB. It happens. I will tell people on the VMK boards new to DIS, if you have a thin skin, stay away from the CB! lol

 

[jemiaule]

I don't have a "Coach Girlie," a cleaning lady, or any number of things that people come onto these boards and talk about. So if you're addressing that comment to me, I think you need to look elsewhere.

Anne

What's a "Coach Girlie"?

Personal Trainer?

Some cutsey pink bag made by Coach?

Some lady barking at ya with a whistle around her neck?

 

[jemiaule]

Did you know you can't find the Elvis on Velvet anymore???

My co-worker was desperately searching for one for her brother and they are no longer being sold at gas stations and strip malls in Virginia?

Oh, Google is your friend. Click here - lots of velvet Elvis

 

[MagicalMom]

I define McMansion as a large, pretentious house built cheaply and purchased by people living way beyond their means with a huge balloon payment coming up and one missed paycheck away from bankruptcy. Not "upper class" at all.

Exactly! The true "upper class" wouldn't be caught dead in a McMansion tract home. I'd think they'd prefer a custom home.

 

[goofygirl]

Ok, I cannot stand this anymore and just have to get it out. Warning: today is a major PMS day.

I am so sick of seeing people on this board making snide and rude comments towards the upper class. And no, I am not upper class. But seriously, why does everyone think that they are selfish, money hungry savages? Maybe they worked their butt off in order to make what they make.They deserve to drive whatever car they want and live in whatever house they choose without being judged by it. Can you honestly say that if you had that kind of money you would not live in a nice house and drive a nice car? I sure as heck cannot say that. I would LOVE to! To me, people that have to constantly rag on these people are just jealous and I am tired of seeing their comments.

Ok - I am done now. And I am sure I did not make a ton of friends with this but this is JMHO.

Kristine

I am not going to feel sorry for the upper class. Gimme a break.

There's a lot more groups out more deserving of my sympathy.

 

[Crankyshank]

I have to say it is completely and totally frustrating to be in the middle. I'm a moderate politically and am completely disenfranchised by politicians pandering to the left and to the right, when they really should be trying to appeal to the middle.

And then I'm middle class. I will probably always be middle class, unless the economy continues to tank here and then I'll probably be working class. On one hand I have people who are fortunate enough to collect assistance abusing it, or complaining they don't get enough and they are entitled to have an expensive car and do whatever they want with the money. On the other hand, you have people bragging about how easy it is to have nice cars, big houses, feed your family, etc... and those who don't either are irresponsible with their money, or just don't work hard enough because it was so easy for X to pull him/herself up by the bootstraps.

Really makes me see why the middle class revolted in history. Because I really would like to send both sides to an island somewhere sometimes just so I don't have to hear it anymore.

 

[ducklite]

It's NOT the stuff. It's not the Coach bag or the McMansion or whatever consumer goodie you've worked hard enough to possess. It's the attitude about it and about those less fortunate.

If a person is going to brag about their Coach bag, their huge house, their traveling around the globe, their car, their iPods or whatever it is-and at the same time talk about how irresponsible and ignorant people are who have fallen on tough times through no fault of their own-then they're going to get slammed.

I know people here who probably have a lot of nice stuff, but they are also caring and considerate people who want the best for EVERYONE not just
them and theirs.

I am all for giving people a HAND UP. DH and I direct our charitable donations to organizations which do just this. But I think it's fundamentally wrong to give hand outs 99% of the time. There is a big difference. A hand up will enable and encourage a person to become self-reliable and boost their self-esteem. It will give them opportunities. A hand out will only perpetuate the cycle of poverty that socialism and the way that many social services are set up for.

I am all for helping those who TRULY can not help themselves. I think that over the years this country has become too lenient and not forced people to become self-reliant.

We as a nation have made it too easy for people to slide along and expect a variety of social programs to take care of them. Most of the social programs were never meant to completely fund a persons existance, they were meant to supplement the income of lower income individuals, to help put more nutritious food on tables, to give at risk children a leg up when it came to education. But instead of filling the limited, short-term, hand up roles that these programs were intended, the programs have grown to the point that the original goal is long forgotten, and instead it's become easier all around to just issue a check, the majority of those checks cut on the backs of the middle and upper-middle income taxpayers.

If that's a bad attitude to have, then so be it.

 

[disneyfan67]

It's NOT the stuff. It's not the Coach bag or the McMansion or whatever consumer goodie you've worked hard enough to possess. It's the attitude about it and about those less fortunate.

If a person is going to brag about their Coach bag, their huge house, their traveling around the globe, their car, their iPods or whatever it is-and at the same time talk about how irresponsible and ignorant people are who have fallen on tough times through no fault of their own-then they're going to get slammed.

I know people here who probably have a lot of nice stuff, but they are also caring and considerate people who want the best for EVERYONE not just
them and theirs.

That's it exactly and thank you. I have seen a few look at my new (insert name) and then turn around and be cold hearted and vicious on certain threads. I don't care for people being irresponsible either, God knows I have been at times, but I don't believe in painting everyone with the same brush. I truly believe in giving a hand up and not a hand out and if there's a problem, I like to see solutions instead of campaign and talk radio slogans.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I have to say it is completely and totally frustrating to be in the middle. I'm a moderate politically and am completely disenfranchised by politicians pandering to the left and to the right, when they really should be trying to appeal to the middle.

And then I'm middle class. I will probably always be middle class, unless the economy continues to tank here and then I'll probably be working class. On one hand I have people who are fortunate enough to collect assistance abusing it, or complaining they don't get enough and they are entitled to have an expensive car and do whatever they want with the money. On the other hand, you have people bragging about how easy it is to have nice cars, big houses, feed your family, etc... and those who don't either are irresponsible with their money, or just don't work hard enough because it was so easy for X to pull him/herself up by the bootstraps.

Really makes me see why the middle class revolted in history. Because I really would like to send both sides to an island somewhere sometimes just so I don't have to hear it anymore.

I think that middle class revolt may be coming. I talk to more and more people who are sick and tired of paying taxes for the poor AND are sick and tired of rich people getting out of paying their fair share in taxes. The real burden of this economy is being laid square on the heads of those of us who are "rich" enough to pay taxes, but not rich enough to be able to hide our assets from the IRS.

 

[hydster]

I have to say it is completely and totally frustrating to be in the middle. I'm a moderate politically and am completely disenfranchised by politicians pandering to the left and to the right, when they really should be trying to appeal to the middle.

And then I'm middle class. I will probably always be middle class, unless the economy continues to tank here and then I'll probably be working class. On one hand I have people who are fortunate enough to collect assistance abusing it, or complaining they don't get enough and they are entitled to have an expensive car and do whatever they want with the money. On the other hand, you have people bragging about how easy it is to have nice cars, big houses, feed your family, etc... and those who don't either are irresponsible with their money, or just don't work hard enough because it was so easy for X to pull him/herself up by the bootstraps.

Really makes me see why the middle class revolted in history. Because I really would like to send both sides to an island somewhere sometimes just so I don't have to hear it anymore.

You said everything I wanted to say but much better!!! We are considered Middle Class by every definition but the way things are going in this country we may not be for long.

I want to find the island just for me though!

And Goofygirl I agree with you. There are many more people in the world who have less that deserve my sympathy much more!

 

[surfergrl31]

I agree that I have seen a lot of upper class bashing on these boards, but I have also seen a lot of lower class bashing on these boards. I think in this instance that there are more middle class than either of the other two extremes in our country. I think it is more or less what people percieve of certain classes than is actually the case.

For instance, my sister in law is an accountant with wells fargo and makes pretty good money. They drive new cars, take trips and are looking at buying a house valued at 500,000. They look like snobs right? Well my brother is in the military so the get great discounts for trips, they watched their credit carefully so have very low APR's on their cars and they live in CA so all houses are priced very high. So what you see with people, sometimes in not actually what is going on.

The same can be said about lower class. Although, I can't say I've seen this scenario at disney world, but I really don't question most visitor's financial situation. You have a SAHM with 4 children who doesn't work needs free health care for her children, is on food stamps and whatever else assistance is out there. The behind the scenes look is that her husband might have recently been laid off and they are living on what savings they have. I don't think any mother in that financial situation is staying at home because she wants to, I think it is probably because she can't afford quality day care so she can work. Needless to say they get back on their feet and maybe have some help paying for a vacation for their children. I'm not going to bash them for that if they have been through a rough time and want to (and can afford to) take their children on a magical vacation, go ahead! Some very good friends of mine went through this exact scenario so I've seen this happen.

The bashing is going to contine, but don't look at someone'e situation and expect that you know they are a snob or someone bleeding the system dry. Scratching the surface will show a whole lot more cause and effect that got them there that goes for "snobs" or "system bleeders."

Until then.......

 

[cardaway]

Am I missing something? The only thing I have seen that looked like upper class bashing was people being nasty things because they are seen as selfish for wanting to keep more fo their money. But at the same time, what is the defintion of upper class in that case? Anybody who feels they make enough to say their is a problem with the system and they refuse to pay any more out?

On the flip side, I haven't seen much bashing of the "lower" class either. Just comments about those giving the "lower" class a bad name by abusing the system and making very poor choices.

 

[wvjules]

I am all for helping those who TRULY can not help themselves. I think that over the years this country has become too lenient and not forced people to become self-reliant.

So then you are OK with children getting health insurance even if their parents are above the poverty level and don't qualify for medicaid but can't afford it on their own? B/c I'm pretty certain children truly can not help themselves when it comes to those matters.

 

[liberalmouse]

Here's a good example of the house I'm talking about. This sucker's going for $550k in my area. It's a nice house, but it belongs on a large lot. I happen to know this one is in a newish development that's being built right in the middle of an old neighborhood with much smaller houses. And look how close to the neighbors, too!!

THAT'S a McMansion? Oh my goodness, in my neck of the woods, something that size is a starter home. And FWIW, the 1800 - 1900 era Victorian mansions in our downtown area are closer together than that.

Exactly what is the definition besides a large house on a small lot? How large a house? What is the minimum sq. footage to be determined a McMansion? What size is the lot? Is it determined by price, ie: above poster made mention of $550,000 ?

 

[ducklite]

So then you are OK with children getting health insurance even if their parents are above the poverty level and don't qualify for medicaid but can't afford it on their own? B/c I'm pretty certain children truly can not help themselves when it comes to those matters.

Most states have a plan for uninsured children that cost parents about $50 per year and cover major medical and a well child visit. (If a parent can't afford $50 a year then they probably qualify for medicaid.) Most if not all county health departments offer free or low cost immunizations for kids up to age 12. Most public schools offer free physicals for children who do not have a family doctor. The programs are already there, people are just not using them for a variety of reasons. I do not believe that taxpayers should be forced to pay for additional taxes for redundant programs.

Anne

 

[Crankyshank]

This is a McMansion around here

Cookie cutter house taking up most of the property. Usually slapped together in a neighborhood full of the same house in different colors, with no separation between yards so it looks like a condo complex. The one pictured has landscaping - normally they run out of money before putting it in. They are also usually on main roads.

Call me crazy, but spending a minimum of $750,000 on a cookie cutter, shoddily slapped together home, with no yard, lulled to sleep each night by the noise of traffic, and having to fight traffic to get out of the driveway each morning is not something I would aspire to - or brag about having.

 

[tropical depression]

what's the starting family income level for 'upper-class'?

 

[wvjules]

I don't know what class I am, but I definately know its not upper-middle. I'm probably lower-middle working class. (if thats even a category.) lol