U.S. Issues Romey says an average middle class income is $200,000 - $250,000 true or not? - Page 8

**BigRedChief** · 09-14-2012, 05:30 PM

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics...d-mitt-romney/

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You know Democrats are going to be wanting to get much more detail from you on how you’re going to pay for your tax cuts. We’ve heard that at the Democratic Convention. President Clinton said your math doesn’t work. I know you dispute what President Clinton said and what the Democrats that say that you’re going to have a $2,000 tax hike on middleclass families. I know you dispute that. You cite your own studies. But one of the studies you cite by Martin Feldstein at Harvard shows that to make your math work, it could work, if you eliminate the home mortgage, charity, and state and local tax deductions for everyone earning over $100,000. Is that what you propose?

MITT ROMNEY: No, that’s not what I propose. And, of course, part of my plan is to stimulate economic growth. The biggest source of getting the country to a balanced budget is not by raising taxes or by cutting spending. It’s by encouraging the growth of the economy. So my tax plan is to encourage investment in growth in America, more jobs, that means more people paying taxes. So that’s a big component of what allows us to get to a balanced budget.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: But his study, which you’ve cited, says it can only work if you take away those deductions for everyone earning more than $100,000.

MITT ROMNEY: Well, it doesn’t necessarily show the same growth that we’re anticipating. And I haven’t seen his precise study. But I can tell you that we can lower our rates–

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, you cited the study, though.

MITT ROMNEY: Well, I said that there are five different studies that point out that we can get to a balanced budget without raising taxes on middle income people. Let me tell you, George, the fundamentals of my tax policy are these. Number one, reduce tax burdens on middle-income people. So no one can say my plan is going to raise taxes on middle-income people, because principle number one is keep the burden down on middle-income taxpayers.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Is $100,000 middle income?

MITT ROMNEY: No, middle income is $200,000 to $250,000 and less. So number one, don’t reduce– or excuse me, don’t raise taxes on middle-income people, lower them. Number two, don’t reduce the share of taxes paid by the wealthiest. The top 5% will still pay the same share of taxes they pay today. That’s principle one, principle two. Principle three is create incentives for growth, make it easier for businesses to start and to add jobs. And finally, simplify the code, make it easier for people to pay their taxes than the way they have to now.

**AustinChief** · 09-15-2012, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom.Jay61

I can't do that without somebody showing the formula they used to determine what "middle class" is.

Or is it just an arbitrary term being used to agitate class warfare?

It's an arbitrary term but I won't just blame one side.. I blame both for using it senselessly and especially the media.

Comrade Crapski · 09-15-2012, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

It's an arbitrary term but I won't just blame one side.. I blame both for using it senselessly and especially the media.

I hear ya.

If "middle" means "average" then i think it's a fair assumption (without actually doing the math) that the average income in American could be $250 k a year.

Of course, statisticians can manipulate variables to get any outcome they want. For example, using a "median" instead of an 'average' and getting rid of the highest and lowest figures to get a more "accurate" reading.

KChiefer · 09-15-2012, 03:19 AM

We talking gay households as well???

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 09-15-2012, 04:20 AM

I defended Obama on the "You didn't build that" statement, and I'll defend Mitt on this one. Problem is, most people are going to leech onto whatever fits their motives regardless of context. Politics baby, yeah!

Mile High Mania · 09-15-2012, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Not in a city like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, etc.

No sh*t... which is why my comment ended with "Really depends on WHERE you live and the dependents."

I think people get too wrapped up in a number and don't take other factors into account. $200k today isn't what it was in the 80s. That's why I disagree strongly with the narrative of taxing those that make over $250k more and lumping them into the 'tax the rich' bullsh.

If you don't have a college degree, or a specific skill that sets you apart from the store clerk at 7-11 and you live in rural America... yeah, you have limited options. Sorry about that, but you make the most of what you've got and you enjoy life. But, that's morean issue of circumstance and geography.

Direckshun · 09-15-2012, 07:32 AM

I will say that it is in no way middle class. It's top 10%, isn't it?

ReynardMuldrake · 09-15-2012, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I will say that it is in no way middle class. It's top 10%, isn't it?

According to the 2004 census, households over $157K are considered in the top 5%. It may be higher than that today, that was the most recent data I could find.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Househo..._United_States

Deberg_1990 · 09-15-2012, 08:05 AM

Good grief....I might not even vote. Both these candidates are a complete joke.

**patteeu** · 09-15-2012, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

But, the point of the thread was to see how many agree with romney, If you are making $200K-250K are you "middle class"?

BRC, do you have a reading disability? Seriously. Romney didn't say that. What he said was that the middle class extends up to $200K-$250K. He didn't say that that was the "average" or that that was the entire range. Good grief.

**patteeu** · 09-15-2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

If we go by people that self-identify as "middle class" the range is probably $40k to $300k per household of 3-5 people. Again, it's just too simplistic a term to try to explain more complex situations than it can possibly cover.

OMG! You're worse than Romney. How many people agree with AustinChief that you have to earn $300K to be middle class?!!!! /BigRedChief

Mizzou_8541 · 09-15-2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

OMG! You're worse than Romney. How many people agree with AustinChief that you have to earn $300K to be middle class?!!!! /BigRedChief

**patteeu** · 09-15-2012, 08:53 AM

I'm glad to see this was finally figured out. After reading the first 30 posts or so with no one pointing out how ridiculous this thread was, I was starting to think you were all nuts.

-King- · 09-15-2012, 08:58 AM

What's the average household income in high cost of living cities?

IMO even in the city with the highest cost of living, 250k is upper middle at the minimum.
Posted via Mobile Device

**BigRedChief** · 09-15-2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

BRC, do you have a reading disability? Seriously. Romney didn't say that. What he said was that the middle class extends up to $200K-$250K. He didn't say that that was the "average" or that that was the entire range. Good grief.

Theres that bubble again.

If his statements could not have been taken as defining an individuals "normal" income in the middle class, why did his campaign go on full CYA spin when this interview hit the airwaves. He released statements, added it to his stump speech, Ryan clarified the interview etc.

Mizzou_8541 · 09-15-2012, 09:05 AM

Off topic, but I just ordered my Romney/Ryan yard sign. I make less than 50k per year so I hope I don't embarrass those evil upper middle class folks who make 250k per year.

View Poll Results: What is an average middle class income?
$200K-$250K	1	2.22%
$150K-$200K	0	0%
$125K-$150K	3	6.67%
$100K-$150K	3	6.67%
$75K-$100K	11	24.44%
$50K-$100K	27	60.00%
More than $300K	0	0%
Voters: 45. You may not vote on this poll

09-14-2012, 05:30 PM
BigRedChief Brainwashed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Swims with fishes Casino cash: $2268076	Romey says an average middle class income is $200,000 - $250,000 true or not? http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics...d-mitt-romney/ GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You know Democrats are going to be wanting to get much more detail from you on how you’re going to pay for your tax cuts. We’ve heard that at the Democratic Convention. President Clinton said your math doesn’t work. I know you dispute what President Clinton said and what the Democrats that say that you’re going to have a $2,000 tax hike on middleclass families. I know you dispute that. You cite your own studies. But one of the studies you cite by Martin Feldstein at Harvard shows that to make your math work, it could work, if you eliminate the home mortgage, charity, and state and local tax deductions for everyone earning over $100,000. Is that what you propose? MITT ROMNEY: No, that’s not what I propose. And, of course, part of my plan is to stimulate economic growth. The biggest source of getting the country to a balanced budget is not by raising taxes or by cutting spending. It’s by encouraging the growth of the economy. So my tax plan is to encourage investment in growth in America, more jobs, that means more people paying taxes. So that’s a big component of what allows us to get to a balanced budget. GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: But his study, which you’ve cited, says it can only work if you take away those deductions for everyone earning more than $100,000. MITT ROMNEY: Well, it doesn’t necessarily show the same growth that we’re anticipating. And I haven’t seen his precise study. But I can tell you that we can lower our rates– GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, you cited the study, though. MITT ROMNEY: Well, I said that there are five different studies that point out that we can get to a balanced budget without raising taxes on middle income people. Let me tell you, George, the fundamentals of my tax policy are these. Number one, reduce tax burdens on middle-income people. So no one can say my plan is going to raise taxes on middle-income people, because principle number one is keep the burden down on middle-income taxpayers. GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Is $100,000 middle income? MITT ROMNEY: No, middle income is $200,000 to $250,000 and less. So number one, don’t reduce– or excuse me, don’t raise taxes on middle-income people, lower them. Number two, don’t reduce the share of taxes paid by the wealthiest. The top 5% will still pay the same share of taxes they pay today. That’s principle one, principle two. Principle three is create incentives for growth, make it easier for businesses to start and to add jobs. And finally, simplify the code, make it easier for people to pay their taxes than the way they have to now.
Posts: 38,377

09-15-2012, 03:19 AM	#108
KChiefer Fantastic Planeteer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Champaign, IL Casino cash: $984393	We talking gay households as well???
Posts: 3,829

09-15-2012, 04:20 AM	#109
Mr. Flopnuts Banned Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Down the rabbit hole Casino cash: $113743484	I defended Obama on the "You didn't build that" statement, and I'll defend Mitt on this one. Problem is, most people are going to leech onto whatever fits their motives regardless of context. Politics baby, yeah!
Posts: 41,838

09-15-2012, 07:32 AM	#111
Direckshun Black for Palestine Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $1167782	I will say that it is in no way middle class. It's top 10%, isn't it? __________________
Posts: 37,650

09-15-2012, 08:05 AM	#113
Deberg_1990 MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $141004	Good grief....I might not even vote. Both these candidates are a complete joke. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 43,809

09-15-2012, 08:53 AM	#117
patteeu The 23rd Pillar Join Date: Sep 2002 Casino cash: $421334	I'm glad to see this was finally figured out. After reading the first 30 posts or so with no one pointing out how ridiculous this thread was, I was starting to think you were all nuts. __________________ Obamacare’s fix for an American health care system that the federal government long ago broke, is to give the federal government far more power over American health care; that its solution to escalating health costs is to mandate greater health benefits (and, hence, higher costs); and that its solution to the pricey overreliance on pre-paid health plans — offered by insurance companies in lieu of real insurance — is to have the government require Americans to buy those pre-paid health plans under penalty of law.
Posts: 67,822

09-15-2012, 08:58 AM	#118
-King- Waiting.... Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $66228	What's the average household income in high cost of living cities? IMO even in the city with the highest cost of living, 250k is upper middle at the minimum. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 31,745

09-15-2012, 09:05 AM	#120
Mizzou_8541 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $42671	Off topic, but I just ordered my Romney/Ryan yard sign. I make less than 50k per year so I hope I don't embarrass those evil upper middle class folks who make 250k per year.
Posts: 2,843

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