Abstract
This paper examines Cose's thesis, which claims that blacks of every economic level feel cheated on and abused by society. His theory focuses on the middle class, which is torn between its impoverished roots and its aspirations towards economic security. It discusses how Cose hopes to shed better light upon the fact that racism is never purely an economic issue, but a diffuse ideology that permeates the entirety of American society.

From the Paper
"Interestingly enough, given his thesis, Cose does not use his book to unapologetically defend affirmative action. One would think that he might, given that one of the most common critiques of the policy is that it benefits middle-class Blacks because of their ethnic heritage and the psychological damage caused by history of discrimination in America. It does not similarly benefit whites who have been impoverished or Asians and other minority groups who may have been discriminated against in American history, albeit not as systematically as Black Americans, or in the form of slavery. However, Cose suggests that while affirmative action does address some of the psychological as well as economic legacies of America's intolerance of Blackness as well as the need for greater workplace diversity in general, he believes that other solutions are necessary to unshackle the minds of all peoples, of the legacy of discrimination. Thus, Cose's overall thesis or theoretical overview is a cautious, moderate one of greater societal education that lacks a central prescription to address the ills he highlights."

Tags:economic, poverty, franchise, racism

Abstract
The author first gains an understanding of the great depression and the banking system before World War II. Next, the author goes on to evaluate the rise of the middle class after World War II and the New Deal. The author then goes through the different significant eras of American history and studies the relationship between the middle class and the banking system.

From the Paper
"In this document the author examines the correlation between the banking system in the United States and the American Middle Class. In order to carry out this study the author first gains an understanding of the great depression and the banking system before World War II. Next the author goes on to evaluate the rise of the middle class after World War Ii and the New Deal. The author then goes through the different significant eras of American history and studies the relationship between the Middle class and the banking system."

Tags:middle, class, banking

Abstract
This paper concerns the ways in which the development of the middle class and its political impotence have contributed to the inability of America to develop a third party movement with any power to last. The writer notes how most third party efforts are protect movements that run out of steam after the protest. Further the writer maintains that the way the two parties operate and finance elections keeps third parties from gaining power.

From the Paper
"The American system is structured on a duality and has been from the first, and this has carried over into the political parties that developed and the political divisions in the country as well. This duality is seen in the division between federal and state levels, between two houses of Congress, and among the original thirteen colonies between North and South. Even today, while there is also an East-West division in the country, the North-South division prevails to a great degree in political discourse, and more recently the country has been divided into the duality of Red and Blue states, based on political identification in the last two elections."

Tags:middle, class, politics

Abstract
The present study will consider how material culture and the standard of living has changed for middle-class Americans over the course of the twentieth century. Such changes were made possible by economic, technological and cultural factors that will be discussed here. The paper will conclude with an assessment of the consequences of such change.

Tags:america, middle, class

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that the phenomenal growth of the black middle class in the past twenty years has created a tremendous need for further in-depth study. The writer points out that essentially, the majority of studies on the black family have been about the underclass and how its persistence affects the family structure. The writer notes that associated with anyone considered a part of the middle class are a number of stresses. The writer then addresses the issues of some of the stresses that black middle class families in particular deal with and looks at how they are translated in respect to their relationships. In discussing these issues, it is also important to note whether or not the overall optimism felt for the growth of the black middle class is justified. The writer concludes that though the data on the economic situation of black middle class families continues to show that their standard of living is not comparable to white middle class families, one must admit the rise in numbers of such families (despite these odds) is encouraging.

Outline:
Introduction
Origins of the Black Middle Class
Psychological Consequences of Black Middle Class : Work Ethic
Psychological Consequences of Black Middle Class : Guilt
Psychological Consequences of Black Middle Class : Identity Confusion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"They have been able to access the resources necessary to attain middle class status through their own efforts or the efforts of their families. Yet generally they are very conscious of their status' instability and consider it temporary.
"The "descendant" category consists of those from established Black families with prominent histories. Meaning, their middle class status can be traced back many generations to the Civil War. Many come from families that were either free before the war or freed afterwards. Others are descendants of Blacks with blood ties to Whites who provided special privileges to them. These more established middle class families are known to have a stronger sense of self and belonging than the "nouveau" group. They are not worried about their status due to their profound sense of "having" and sense of "place"."

Tags:race, status, family, structure

Abstract
This paper examines how one of the biggest problems facing the black middle class youth today involves destructive cultural patterns: a resistance to academic achievement as acting "uncool", a celebration of "ghetto" street culture, and the normalization of criminal activity and drug and alcohol dependency. It contends that ,because the black middle class youth are surrounded by and espouse certain destructive cultural patterns, the group, in general, suffers downward social mobility.

From the Paper
"Besides the street culture that holds back black middle-class youth, there is also the tendency for many teenagers or people in their early twenties to shirk work and school. As Jay MacLeod, in his book Ain't No Makin' It put it, "to be bad is the main criterion for status in this subculture." Although MacLeod's study focused on working-class youths, what he has to say deals very much with the black middle class as well. MacLeod would disagree with my sentiments because the Brothers, although espousing an "achievement ideology", still did not fare much better than the Hallway Hangers."

Tags:poverty, ghetto

Abstract
While middle-class families in America now enjoy higher incomes than they did a few decades ago, they also exhibit more symptoms of personal financial distress and a reduced willingness to support basic public services. An important cause of both changes is the fact that taxes are increasing for middle-class families at a steady rate. We are in the beginning stages of a technological revolution that promises to increase the income and wealth gaps, already very high, still further. As a result, middle-class families will find it still harder to save and still harder to come up with a down payment on a house in a good school district. Their commutes will continue to grow longer, along with their reluctance to support essential services. Savings rates will continue to decline. These problems merit serious attention from economists and America's leaders. While there is no single solution to the woes of America's middle class, this paper hypothesizes that a feasible tax cut is in order. Many people argue that a tax cut is not the answer, saying that tax cuts usually disproportionately benefit the rich and harm the middle class. This paper addresses how the American tax system is increasingly disadvantageous to the middle class and demonstrates why tax cuts are needed and how they could benefit the middle class.

From the Paper
"It has long been said by the political left that the tax cuts of President Reagan and current President George W. Bush have favored the rich at the expense of the poor (Frank, 2000). Critics claim the rich are not paying their fair share of the tax burden while middle and lower class citizens are struggling to pay for health care, education, and other basic necessities. The obvious solution for big government advocates to level the playing field is to raise taxes on the rich. However, despite the political rhetoric denouncing the Bush tax cuts as a windfall to the rich at the expense of the poor, recent empirical evidence finds the rich do actually pay a substantial amount of the federal tax burden."

Tags:tax, policy, center, AMT, IRS

Abstract
The paper examines "Road to Whatever: Middle-Class Culture and the Crisis of Adolescence" where Currie explains why problems of delinquency are occurring in a white middle class society that for the most part is idealized. The paper explains Curries' ideas on the unrealistic expectations facing these white middle-class youths that cause them to feel flawed and thus participate in risky behavior. The paper also discusses how Currie believes middle-class parents align themselves with the perfect stereotypes projected by the media and allow their adolescents too much autonomy. The paper then points out the problems with the evidence Currie uses to support his thesis but concludes that the book opens up an important discussion on how members of today's society can help the troubled middle-class.

From the Paper
"In the book The Road to Whatever: Middle-Class Culture and the Crisis of Adolescence, Elliot Currie proposes that the white middle-class of today's American culture are in danger. The appearances of these troublesome signs are in the "widespread alienation, desperation, and violence" that we witness in the today's youths. Our current culture usually does not attribute these problems to the idealized white middle-class adolescent, butt Currie argues that the problems of drugs, delinquency, and violence are more prevalent in white middle-class adolescents than they are marginal groups with less socioeconomic opportunities. In his book, Currie examines how and why these delinquent problems of delinquency are occurring in a white middle class society that for the most part is idealized."

Tags:image, media, stereotypes, expectations, autonomy, depression, addiction, suicide

Abstract
This paper discusses health care for middle-class Americans, further describing how health care is being supplemented and how Americans are being treated in an unfair capacity. Facts and figures based on race are presented in terms of who receives health care. The author also examines age as a factor for receiving quality health care. Future choices for middle class Americans are also presented in light of anticipated problems. The author asserts that health care is a significant problem for middle-class Americans, particularly for those with a lack of financial resources.

Introduction
Health Care Spending
Insurance & Race
Cost Care of the Patient
Drugs
Middle Class American Bankruptcy & Other Health Care Problems
Prospects for the Future

From the Paper
"There are several issues which need to be addressed in order remedy the poor status of American health care. Among the key issues are; the current laws regarding the development and pricing of medication, the lack of access of a large section of Americans to quality and necessary health care, the lack of federally subsidized treatment options and the high price placed on health care in general. Another major problem regarding health care in the United States is that, while our nation spends more actual dollars on health care, the American public as a whole is less healthy than those nations which spend only a fraction of that amount."

Tags:insurance, unemployment, poverty, bankruptsy, hospitals, doctors

Abstract
This paper defines the income and social levels of the middle class in the United States and examines the effects that the rising costs of healthcare have had on the middle class. The paper examines the growing trend which seems to lessen the availability of the individual in attaining care while at the same time increasing the costs and access to healthcare -effectively barring many in the United States middle class from receiving proper care for their health.

From the Paper
"The healthcare crisis as well as the unbelievable costs associated maintaining a health insurance policy has resulted in 43.6 million individuals that were covered by insurance in 2001 losing or forfeiting their coverage due to the inability of either the individual or the individual's employer to pay for the healthcare insurance. The national middle class household income is stated to be $42,049 while the average family healthcare insurance premium is the approximate amount of $9,066 a year. Households with incomes between $25,000 to $50,000 a year are among the 43 million individuals who are presently without insurance."

Tags:inflation, Medi-Cal, Clinton