[KC Jones]

Traditionally, middle class were owners of small businesses or professionals. People with money, but not nobility. They had economic independence, but not power or social standing. We have no nobility in this country making these artificial distinctions a little harder to maintain. Nobody wants to be 'lower class' so the definition has slid. Now everybody above poverty line considers themselves middle class. Where sociologist's draw the line I have no idea.

I tend to think of middle class as corporate middle management, professionals, and small business owners.