A PG special series: The Middle Class
2012-03-30 06:41:02
Share with others:
In this special five-week series, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staff writer Mark Roth takes an in-depth look at the challenges facing America's middle class.
Eric Chiado and his wife Kelly Knieling turned around their fortunes by following the advice of a Christian financial adviser.
In post-war America, the economy grew steadily, and the earnings of all income classes grew at roughly the same rate. It was possible to live a middle-class life on one income, and health and retirement benefits were often guaranteed by employers. Since then, the super-wealthy have grabbed a bigger share of the wealth, while middle-income earners' wages have increased only modestly, and hardly at all in the last decade.
NOV. 13-15
TWO PITTSBURGH-AREA families represent the range of incomes and problems found in today's middle class. And experts from around the nation weigh in on the economic trends that have reshaped middle-class life over the last six decades.
Ten years ago, Jackie Gorski and Tom Alberts remade their careers. What they didn't know was that health care issues would knock their lives way off track.
It wasn't that long ago, that Eric Chiado and his wife, Kelly Kneiling, were living paycheck to paycheck. Then they decided to listen to a Christian financial adviser.
• Chuck Collins is among the top 1% in wage earners, and he wants to pay more in taxes. He's not the only wealthy person who feels this way. ... read more »
• In a new study, Harvard University professor Michael Norton reveals some interesting facts about Americans and their views on wealth distribution. ... first, view the PG interactive and then read the article »
• The White House and politicians from both parties say they want to strengthen the middle class. But they have sharply different ideas on how to accomplish that. ... read more »
• Economic downturns, however painful, are inescapable and quite normal. In the past 120 years, the U.S. has seen 25 depressions and recessions. ... read more »
• Economists debate the role of labor and the effect it has had on the working class and whether it hurt employment and wages for all as companies packed up and moved to non-union states. ... read more »
First Published November 13, 2011 12:00 am
