Bill Moyers Journal: The Missing Class

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The Missing Class

This week, professor Katherine Newman discussed the “missing class” – millions of Americans who are technically above the poverty line but still far from a middle-class standard of living.

“It’s a fragile existence because they don’t really have the security that comes with owning a home, for example, or having a savings account, or any of the other buffers the rest of us have – and they don’t qualify for federal benefits for the most part… They can’t get Medicaid because they’re too wealthy for that. They don’t get food stamps. They don’t get subsidized housing, for the most part. So we don’t really think about them very much. We don’t even track how many of them we have.”

Most of the estimated 50 million members of this class remain missing, at least in the national discourse. In the interview, Newman introduced us to just two families from the nine that it took her seven years to write about, and all from the New York area.

What do you think?

Do you have stories of “missing” individuals and families? How is this class represented in your community?

Given professor Newman’s perspectives and analyses of a “missing class”, how can we best serve this demographic? What should the government’s role be?

Photo: Robin Holland

Tag(s): Economy , class
Posted by Bill Moyers Journal on November 2, 2007 3:07 PM | Permalink

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I have just finished watching the interview with Katherine Newman concerning the “missing class.” I found the interview very interesting and insightful. Throughout my life I was not a member of the missing class, as 20 percent of the nation’s children are today. However, my parents divorced while I was in high school, leaving my mother to raise my sister and me on her own. She had not attended school past high school and worked full-time as a manager at a retail store. Her income was low enough that we did become a family of the missing class after the divorce. Unfortunately, not long after, my mother was diagnosed with brain cancer and no longer able to work. We were fortunate, however, to have an extremely supportive extended family who are still supporting my sister and I as we work our way through college, although my mother passed away a couple of months before I finished high school. I don’t know what my family and I would have done without the support of our extended family; we certainly would have been living in poverty though. But I know that a lot of families living in the missing class do not...

Posted by: Jennifer Harley | February 21, 2008 6:31 PM

After listening to this interview I found myself to fall into this so call “missing class”. I grew up in a single parent household with my mom working as a teacher in private schools. With three children to support and only one source of income money was always tight. Her average salary was no more then $40,000 a year, it is for this reason that we often fell above the poverty line but well below the middle class. I started my first job when I was seventeen years old and have worked hard ever since to help support myself and to relieve some of the financial stress. My mom has taken up a part time job as a piano teacher and continues to work on furthering her own education in becoming a counselor. Her hard work and dedication has maintained our household. Upon hearing this interview it was encouraging to know that there are other families out there like mine. According to Newman there are 50 million Americans who fall into the “missing class” which include twenty percent of the nation’s children. I believe that Newman has the right idea when she says that we need to educate those around...

Posted by: Lindsey Graham | February 21, 2008 1:56 PM

I'm glad to see soo many people write a comment here that offers 'some slice of common sense'...That there 'actually are' people that 'do' understand what is really going on... I have said for several years if one identifies the different 'types' of people in our country (while so many seem to concentrate on race, religion, etc.), there are really only TWO (2)-classes...The 'Rich' & the 'Poor'...but here again is proof there truly is the 'Missing Class' (often heard misnamed as the 'Middle Class'). Even though they make up the vast majority (for now), they also are the ones that 'pay' for the majority of 'everything'...and are preyed-on (to the highest degree) by any corporate, commercial & financial entity that exists (from utilities to taxes to any lending activities)...What I see happening now, as it has for several years, is the 'Missing Class' quickly being transformed into the 'Poor Class'...With the priorities (of the majority) of those elected 'by the People', who've pledged to work 'for the People' so misguided, I know I'll never comprehend the mindset of the 'Greedy' (that seem to think their money will 'somehow protect & insulate them from 'whatever may come' or the mindset of...

Posted by: Sir Vertual | December 3, 2007 8:18 PM

Couple points. Home ownership is not necessarily a sign of security. It's pretty inflexible if you change jobs, move in with your mate etc. Unless it's paid off it's really quite risky. The "middle class", and for that matter, the "poverty line" are actually quite high standards. Close to what the upper class had just a few decades ago. Most of these people just don't know how to save. Hundred dollar cable bills, no roommates when they first left home, irresponsible charge card usage. I had a friend who owed $5k on her Visa and had $3k in her savings account. I recommended using most her savings to pay down her Visa bill but she wanted it in her savings account in case of emergency. Even after I explained she could use her visa for any emergency she just wouldn't listen.

Posted by: Joe V. | November 30, 2007 9:59 PM

General recognition that Americans have already exceeded the status of a three-class income system and reduced the nation to a two-class system, the well off and those who are income deficient is further complicated by the fact that Americans have never been taught how a two-class system works, or can work. Since the fundamental structure of capitalism has been based upon a three class system, Americans are unprepared and ignorant about two class systems. Pretending that America is still a three class system is a fallacy perpetuated even while it becomes firmly rooted in two classes, and journalists might examine the two class system to educated citizens on what to expect, and how they are expected to function in a two class system. Complaining about the problems of its middle class without educating for a two class system amounts to complicity of the deception that prevents society from being organized to survive upon the two class system method. A review of income in every sector from health care to entertainment to banking shows that America is no longer a three class system, and all industries are income top heavy reducing America to the two class system. Facing this reality is...

Posted by: Pat R. | November 16, 2007 9:55 AM

Poor Janice Pound, doesn't know the difference between Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich. Paul would end the war but has no plans to undo privatization or end corporate dominance over government. Paul likes flat taxes not progressive reform. His lack of a healthcare plan appeals to "cheeries" (young healthy privileged people). We live in an age of exhaustion and overpopulation where humanitarian values exclude the dog eat dog ideas of a Libertarian wild west chaos. Under Paul the U.S. would be a poorer version of Putin's Russia, with the ruthless and organized crime in ascendance. No one has the Constitutional fortitude and integrity of Kucinich in protecting human rights, public property and a dynamic Constitution. Janice, your wish for a tax cut could mean a grisly death for poor people like me. $4.3million overnight came from a dark and ugly place.

Posted by: Grady Lee Howard | November 12, 2007 9:37 PM

You want to try to get the America and her democracy that I grew up in VOTE FOR RON PAUL! LETS GET THE PRESIDENT WE NEED AND SHOULD HAVE. His tax plans,plus his plans to bring this country back to civilization are exactly the words I've been waiting to hear from any candidate. Definitely not the ones the media has been inundating us with. Common sense is his forte.

Posted by: Janice Pound | November 11, 2007 9:22 PM

America should adopt a tax system based on net worth for the following reasons. 1. A tax on net worth has the largest tax base. The net worth of this country is larger than the income system, about $9 trillion, and the consumption system, less than the gross domestic product, (GDP) about $14 trillion. The individual assets of $55 trillion and business assets of about $60 trillion is over 8 times larger than the consumption system. 2. Income is not a measure of being rich, net worth is. George Will has said that the wealthiest 1-percent of households have more assets than the lowest 90%, $16 trillion. Since the total individual assets are $55 trillion. The wealthiest 10% own about 73% of the net worth in the USA. The biggest 1-percent of corporations own 80 % of the business net worth. 3. Taxes should be based on ones ability to pay. A tax on net worth is the fairest tax to all. Net Worth is the measure of ones ability to pay. 4. Taxes on net worth have the lowest percentage. America’s budget is about $3 trillion. A consumption system requires a sales tax of over 21%. A net worth...

Posted by: Bruce Barnes | November 10, 2007 11:41 PM

This might help a little: Stop all tax with holding from the working man & woman's wages, and from the retiree monthly income. This tax, was to be extended, in the 1940's, but was never ratified by the Congress. So, it is an illegal tax. Return to the Excise Tax: To explain: It was used before WWII, to pay for all government spending. If any item you would like to purchase, you could. But, anything made or produced outside of the U.S.A would include an Excise Tax. I think we could live with that, and maybe some of our manufactures would return to the U.S.A Also, we must return to the "Gold Standard" so, that every dollar printed is backed by gold.

Posted by: Jim Peterson | November 8, 2007 11:14 PM

“Most of the estimated 50 million members of this class remain missing” is very conservative number. There are over 70 million “baby bummers” who would be retire ring in the next few years. They will more than double the current “missing class”, not to mention the “forgotten class” who do not have where to turn for help and whom to ask! “One of every 4th veteran is homeless”! Mr. Moyer is able to connect the dots and to deliver the problems thanks by the support from various foundation who believe in him to deliver the issues, the truth and the wrongs. The “American Dream” has been a propaganda expression used by the politicians to get elected and to impose their will on others while passing laws for their pleasure and enrichment! There has been a need for changes! The Congress and The Senate are not going to make the change! How would you make the changes? Would you make the changes by demonstration? Would you make the changes at the ballot? Would you start to make the changes locally by a “Home Rule Charter”? All of the above or ....? No one was watching when all the lies, deceit, corruption...

Posted by: Chris | November 8, 2007 1:02 PM

Christmas is coming in six weeks. For the 70% of us with IRS reported incomes below 50K this may be the last big credit splurge before we default on our bills.Go for those Ipods and bigscreens! I think it is interesting to note how Congress members voted on bankruptcy "reform" and on predatory lending rules. And it's true, many of us avoid higher education (often punitive vocational resocialization) because jobs don't pay enough anymore to allow repayment, and it is now unforgivable "forever debt." I would like to hear Moyers hiss, "Newman" like Seinfeld, because it is true tenured academics can't understand that education alone won't make people wealthier. My education, independent and formal, has made me an enemy of the business community and the state, because I can't shut up about what I've learned about injustice. So I'm unemployable. Moyers is a tame curiousity, a corporate sideshow, in a world where most jobs enable the employer to defraud and parasite off our neighbors. Not everyone can be a park ranger or an EMT. I can understand how Palestinians feel after being unemployed 4 years straight. I'm about ready to throw rocks at the tanks, and the think tanks. We're...

Posted by: Grady Lee Howard | November 7, 2007 12:20 PM

wow. so many who have relied here have so completely missed the point i feel i should help. the missing class is merely yet another arbitrary anti individual distinction for the pundits to use in denying that much of what they survive on is the unfortunate practice of so many to uncritically and unquestioningly subscribe to a maner/method of life that relegates themselves and their forseeable progeny to a cross generational inexorable slavery. has anyone ever noticed that the struggle for a "greater" share of the "wealth" has never brought even one demonstrable iota of personal pride in one's own sovereign existence? i hear the foolish dodge of self sufficiency employed time and again but when examined, one finds an inextricable bondage to an avowedly corrupt system of "work for nothing" which leaves no one any energy whatever to make any sincere effort to reconsider just what they either purport to be working for or even, whom? life and work are meant to be earned and spent on one's own indivisible joy in existence. how dare you seek to work for anything else and consider that you may have anything other than a fantastical claim to a Human Morality? your...

Posted by: donald vance | November 7, 2007 11:39 AM

I think it is dangerous to categorize people into classes, when in reality we all face the very real possibility of becoming 'the missing class' - with respect to being members of that larger class of humanity within the class of all living things. Some of the 'poverty' issues raised in this discussion are in fact 'enrichment' for the planet as a whole. I am speaking of the fact that poor people around the world, who do indeed suffer terribly by comparison with us, contribute far less to the destruction of the environment when they are educated into matters of survival. To me some, not all, of the complaints we may have are better addressed when we face what the future has in store for us as profligates. The frightening situation in which we find ourselves as more and more of the true luxuries we have had in this country drift beyond our grasp has an up side. Forced to cut back, we live more sensibly. I see two 'classes', if you like. They divide by age. Those of us of the older generation were educated to realize that money is not everything; indeed, if we think carefully, we realize...

Posted by: juliania | November 6, 2007 1:10 PM

What is the conceptualization of the proverbial American dream? Does it deserve a re-think? There is no "one-size-fits-all" solution to the squeeze working people are feeling. However, perhaps closing the gap between reality and wishful thinking is a starting place. If you gauge yourself by what you think your neighbors are doing or buying, you will never find contentment. Some very happy people have very little in terms of material wealth, but neither they do not indulge in a victim mentality or flaunt a sense of entitlement. So often I see people who bought more house and car than they needed or could ever hope to afford. Is that a formula for individual happiness? The looming issues that will confront us all include a projected doubling or tripling of nursing home residents in 40 years, and the soaring costs of healthcare, food and energy. Where else but on this show can you find much serious discussion of such issues?

Posted by: Alan | November 6, 2007 11:25 AM

Thank you Professor Newman and Bill Moyers for giving a name / category to people in my financial situation. I am a member of the "missing class." I fall into that group of people who make between $20,000 and $40,000 a year. I work for a state university in Texas. A new car costs more money than I make in one year. That's ridiculous! Somewhere on the road to the American dream, the price of automobiles went through the roof, and before I realized it, cars, houses, vacations, schools, all cost more money than I could afford. Automakers and our current administration can keep car prices high by creating a permanent underclass of citizens who drive. It strikes me as odd that the "ownership" society initially promoted by W and his minions has created just the opposite: an entire class of people who work hard but live paycheck-to-paycheck. We can't afford to save money for our own needs and dreams, but are encouraged to participate in health savings accounts so that we will have tax free money to pay for doctor visits, prescriptions, etc. Call it what it is – a savings account for insurance companies and their partners (lobbyists...

Posted by: margaret j cortez | November 5, 2007 4:02 PM

Having watched and listened to the interview completely two times, I can say that I am a member of the missing class. My income is in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 dollars yearly. The community in which I live is a community in dier straights. The housing situation is a tragedy. This tragedy is a result of inflation and a lack of wages meeting the inflation. People are being squeezed out of there homes by the pressures of the economic situation not just in my community, but also in the entire state of Florida. I currently hold an A.S. degree and have continued the effort to improve myself through continuous education. I believe strongly in Prof. Newman's thoughts on Parental education and the effects that it has on their children. Furthermore, I believe that the people who are in the upper Middle class and the Upper class should take on a more responsible role in funding eduation for those less fortunate than themselves. I am the fortunate end product of a giving of educational funds which have placed me in the driver's seat to earn my A.S. degree. People like me who come from low income working class families...

Posted by: Chris L. | November 5, 2007 1:58 PM

Well there is the FREE healthinsurabce from THE GOVERMENT : THE HILL-BURTON ACT of 1947 go to: www,hrsa.gov/osp/dfer or call 800-638-0742..in Michigan call 248-652-8781 for free and lowcst drugs www/institutedc.org or write Institute Fulfillment Center. Booklet PD-40 P.O.Box 210 dallas.PA 18612-0210 On the MISSING CLASS...To the Christian Leader ARE YOU NOT YOUR BROTHERS KEEPER? I dont want to hear anymore going to Africa to help the people over there, for 40 year my church build 100 churches in africa send clothing, fodd etc...Only to be kick-out by the new Leaders..SO Charity begins at HOME..THAT IS AMERICA...rigthnow the Dollar is only worths 0.67 cents ..so Uncles Sam and Congress give us the 200% increase in our SS.check we have to save our local Economy and our grandchildren..NOW love your counrty

Posted by: hoyer | November 5, 2007 1:46 PM

Thank you for a segment full of insight and texture. I thought you would be interested in an update on tax reform in Alabama. Starting last January, Alabama was no longer the only state that imposed the income tax on a family of four making only $4,600 a year. Thanks to the work of Rep. John Knight, Gov. Bob Riley, and the anti-poverty coalition Alabama Arise, the threshold was lifted to $12,600 for a family of four. That put Alabama's threshold at fourth from the bottom -- until Hawaii realized that Alabama has passed it -- and other states near the bottom started acting. Now Alabama is second from the bottom. Even as Gov. Riley was signing the bill, we realized we had taken only a first step. Taking the threshold to $12,600 puts us over half-way to Mississippi's threshold of $19,600. Dr. Newman is right that Alabama's previous attempt at tax reform was soundly defeated. Even though the plan would have lowered taxes for most people, voters were skeptical because the plan was constantly described as a $1.2 billion tax increase. We believe that future tax reform needs to start with revenue-neutral restructuring -- so that those headlines can't...

Posted by: Kimble Forrister | November 5, 2007 1:44 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, I feel dispirited about the state of our country, even though I am a very successful Iranian/American woman(I started with nothing), but I have a conscience. All I can do is vote according to my conscience and be active as much as I can be, I also help my family and give to charity. What really bothers me is that people only see the headlines and have no clue what is really going on in our country. I just talked to a 54 year old friend who makes about $32K a year and is really worried about her financial situation, however, she told me "hey, the economy is in good shape, look at the employment rate, it's really low", I had to bring it to her attention that the middle class is disappearing and point out to "her situation". Americans went shopping after 9/11 and are living in a la-la land. Things are not that good out there, if you just read between the lines. Thank you for your program, and others like yours, I can stay informed. I am also worried about what is going on in my neck of the woods...now with Pakistan falling apart...

Posted by: J. White | November 5, 2007 8:21 AM

Dr. Riane Eisler recently wrote a book entitled: Real Wealth of Nations...creating a caring economics. She addresses so many of these issues--as well as outlining solutions. PLEASE interview her Mr. Moyers-- This book is extremely well-researched (she also wrote Chalice and the Blade--an international bestseller in the late 80's). www.rianeeisler.com and the blog is www.realwealtheconomy.com

Posted by: ann | November 4, 2007 10:02 PM

I am part of the missing class you speak of, and in fact most in my rural community fall into that category. Why aren't we more politically active? When your whole goal is to put food on the table or pay the rent - and the politicians who are supposed to represent you are focused on the very poor and making 200k plus salaries, you give up. We are ignored because we remind the lower middle class how close to the edge they live. I'm tired of hearing how college will solve the problem. Most of my co-workers have graduate degrees and PHDs - and are standing at the counter of Dept stores, cashiering at grocery stores and given up on the "American dream". Own a house? We're lucky if our cars survive the week due to age and inability to afford things like oil changes, tires etc. One paycheck away from ruin? How about one auto accident away from devastation because an insurance company wants to play the delay game? Time lost from work, medical bills piling up (health insurance - what's that?) or even loss of job. Add in a case of cancer partially brought on by stress...

Posted by: Linda | November 4, 2007 9:23 PM

What can be done to change such a corrupt system. Suggestions will be appreciated. Suhas

Posted by: Suhas Sengupta | November 4, 2007 7:58 PM

Newman's work and Moyer's empathy is valuable but I'd like less case study and more analysis of policy issues...be careful of the use of "those people" when you argue that most people are one illness away from losing their footing...its time for a story on the rules for getting ahead which include much more than the use of one's labor (no longer adds much value), risk (which means access to venture capital, access to inside info and innovation skills (not taught in the NCLB era) and more...

Posted by: Rich | November 4, 2007 5:00 PM

I found the interview 'Bill Moyers Talks with Katherine Newman' interesting. I also find the comments posted on this blog as well as the interview rather disappointing. Everything is about money. And/or income.... Bill tells us about his experience growing up in Texas and how there was a support group available to assist his family with the trials of the times. I also grew up in Texas and was poor. I do not see the problem or cause in the same vein as expressed by Bill Moyers or Katherine Newman. I do not think poverty is or was the problem. But a cause that needed an identity. I don’t disagree that all those things exist in our society and that they are a problem. What I do disagree with is the solutions offered to solve these imaginary problems. These solutions for the past 40+ years have made the problems worse. The minimum wage law is the biggest problem of all. It is a solution that failed to solve any problem. Please tell me where the ‘MWL’ has improved the lives of anyone. The ‘MWL’ is inflationary. In the end the working poor are worse off. The inflation it has caused...

Posted by: R.H.SMITH | November 4, 2007 3:32 PM

I found the "Missing Class" informative. One thing I found missing was when news folks talk about education they talk only about college. Goodness, what a missed opportunity to inform folks about Techncial Schools throughout these United States. We need to keeping pressing the news media about this opportunity.

Posted by: Joan Booker | November 4, 2007 11:00 AM

People, Freedom, Democracy, the Republic is in it's final death throws. Listen to Alex Jones now!

Posted by: David Wieldt | November 4, 2007 8:41 AM

VOTE FOR RON PAUL Enough said.

Posted by: Alice Henneberg | November 4, 2007 3:52 AM

There are several reasons why we have a poor class and “The Missing Class” and a struggling middle class. Three reasons follow: Sell-out politicians, phony trade agreements, and sky-rocketing health care costs. Please read on. There is a solution to our nation’s health care crisis. It is HR 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act. Before describing the benefits in the bill, however, let’s dispel a few myths about a couple of other issues. Expenditures in the United States on health care reached $2 trillion in 2005, almost three times the $696 billion spent in 1990. To suggest that huge increase is the fault of undocumented residents is akin to playing three-card Monty. You’re guaranteed to lose. Just as Baskin-Robbins has flavors of the month, unscrupulous politicians, corporate America, hate-media, and the minions that follow them have periodical scapegoats. Their “flavor” these past few years has been latino. The politicos need scapegoats. They need to cover their sell-out of America’s working class by creating “demons”. Since 1993, Mexican workers have seen their purchasing power plummet by 50%. 50%! How would you be faring today if your income was 50% less than in 1993? Well that’s what happened to...

Posted by: Richard Austin | November 4, 2007 1:32 AM

I would like to echo the sentiments expressed by other writers that it is not just those who did not have a chance at an education who are having a financial struggle in this economy. I live on Long Island, and a generation ago, as a beginning school teacher, married, with a baby on the way, my wife and I were able to afford a small house in Suffolk County. My wife did not have to work outside the home,and, although we were far from well-to-do, we were able to make it on just my salary. That was in 1973. Long Island was built on the ability of average wage earner to become a home owner, and be able to live a middle class life- style. One just has to be familiar with the post- war housing development of Levittown to realize how true this was. I retired a few years ago from the schools with something called a "pension"- that's P as in peter, E as in Echo...etc. And.... wait for it.... health insurance! But I started working before the Reagan "the government is the problem" economy.

Posted by: Steven Rudin | November 3, 2007 2:30 PM

It’s nice to know that we now have a label “The Missing Class,” maybe now something can be done. There are many and growing problems with our society, our country and the rest of the world too. I look to Bill Moyer’s Journal to get an insight into some of these; and to these blog comments to see how others are responding to them. Of late I have noticed that Bill’s stories tend to be pale 2-dimensional portrayals, more like a photo snapshot of the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls or a Hawaiian sunset; they don’t do justice to the real thing or the real issues. The probing question(s) are not asked, a recent example was Bill’s interview with Charles Fried stating that the president had rights that congress could not assail, the begging question was for Fried to name these rights and point to articles in the constitution that granted them, but Bill let it slide. In many, if not most of BMJ stories Bill plays the role of the visiting uncle disinterestedly querying the niece or nephew about their role in the school play; in a word, dispassionate. In the Missing Class story some questions that came to me...

Posted by: Steve S | November 3, 2007 2:13 PM

Supply side economics does work--for the rich. It seems like the people who praise this system are the ones who benefit most from it. Warren Buffet calculated the tax burden of some of his employees, which included clerks and secretaries. He figured that he paid the least in taxes as a percentage of income. A generation ago, it was just the opposite. The top tax rate was 90%. Income above $3 million was taxed at 90%. This had the effect of holding down CEO salaries, which kept their wages closer to their employees. Some CEOs make over $1 billion and only pay 15% capital gains taxes. This is outrageous. Our system of taxation needs to be reformed. It seems like those making $50000 or less should not have to pay any taxes. It is difficult to support a family on anything less than this.

Posted by: Jeff Ray | November 3, 2007 10:30 AM

There's a devil in the white house and he's painting it red With the blood of all the people who believed what he said So they went to fight his battles and they ended up dead: There's a devil in the white house and he's painting it red. What a leader needs is wisdom, and the one who is smart Studies lessons learned from hist'ry, and he takes them to heart. There are lessons on the bookshelf, if the devil would look, But he's much too busy leading to be reading a book. Now the devil is a Christian and he prays as he kneels For the people who must choose between prescriptions and meals, Then he counts the many blessings from his lucrative deals. (Don't expect a millionaire to know how poverty feels.) Though his allies look with horror at Guantanamo Bay, He has super power powers, so he gets his own way. Ask him how to justify it, and he'll probably say, "If I redefine what torture is, well then it's OK!" Now the devil's reputation is for giving us hell, And in this administration he had done very well: When it comes to sending kids to war...

Posted by: Jayne Robbins | November 3, 2007 7:29 AM

I appreciate Professor Newman's attempt to bring attention to this situation that so many of us are in. However I am a SINGLE MAN and I was BORN HERE in the United States as were my parents. I SPEAK ENGLISH as my parents, and grandparents did. Many are not struggling immigrants. I certaining am NOT MISSING as I fall under the same situation as many others who have worked hard his entire life, paid my taxes despite my health problems, only to be denied health coverage and insurance because of a genetic disease (Cystic Fibrosis). I had even paid health coverage premiums in which I would NOT benefit from the insurance because of a "preexisting condition". I am now 42, and had to take disability as I cannot breath. I had to wait to get Disability income, get treated as if I were cheating the system, wait to get on Medicare, and hope I did not get any sicker until then. I am not elgible for Medicaid, and other assistance because my disability income is $100 more than the cutoff for those programs. That is what I get for working hard and try to be personally responsible for my 'pursuit...

Posted by: Dan | November 3, 2007 4:05 AM

Both stories tonight were so very interconnected that I thought they focused on a paradigm that I have been distraught about since the Reagan years, and I suppose that can be expressed in this manner: Is the inexoral downward slide of American idealism and progress on all economic, constitutional, and ethical fronts a self-perpetuating cycle that can never be broken? The massive inevitable failures of the system both at home and abroad that will occur irregardless of any action or inaction on anyone's part by the summer of '08, next year's election, and the aftermath of the election seem to be crunch time on this question. We will find out if there is any hope for the nation at all or a migration back to Europe or to other western nations such as Canada or Australia will begin. To any Republicans that read this please don't bore us with the empty message that supply-side economics or neo-con philosophy is any kind of rational answer to the nation's problems or that compromising with Bush is the answer to current impasses, as if he's ever compromised with anyone during his entire administration. Your party is heading to oblivion and you might as...

Posted by: Carlo | November 3, 2007 3:35 AM

How can the wealthy like Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch (both doing philanthropic work in Africa along with Bill Clinton!), Oprah and so many celebrities justify this? Do they fool themselves into believing they are good people because of doing philanthropy? Does it absolve them of the guilt of being exorbitantly wealthy? Of course, if they dared apply ethics and logic they'd have to admit it can not be so! According to David Korten, author of "When Corporations Rule the World", the top one percent of Americans receive more income than the bottom 40 percent. Even a decade ago Bill Gates' wealth alone was already worth more than the bottom 110 million Americans (http://www.endgame.org/primer-wealth.html). Many unfortunate people have no luxuries like Gates, Murdoch and so many others whose accumulation of wealth was a result of heritage, lucky breaks or investments more than of working hard. And now there's "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrnes for the desolate to put their faith in. It's based on the book "The Science of Getting Rich" by Wallace Wattles. The idea is to focus on wealth--so they are told--and to truly believe they will get checks in the mail instead of bills. If they do that...

Posted by: Conny Jensen | November 3, 2007 2:37 AM

I appreciated the segment tonight on the "missing class". I grew up in a family that would be termed that today, and despite my best efforts, I am in that situation as well. Things, however, could be a lot worse for me, so I consider myself to be grateful for what I have and what I work for. I have a BS in Business Management, and worked several years in the retail and banking industries to pay my own way through college. It took longer, but my education was too important for me to be dependent upon someone else's money. After the sudden death of my husband, I faced a number of personal trials, but have come through them. I can now honestly say I have the greatest job in the world: I teach the children in a public school dominated by poverty. I do not make much money, but the benefits are good, and the kids are great. The school I work at is bucking the system to produce literate children, provided the parents can keep their children in our school long enough for the educating to occur. Many get evicted and the children disappear. We also have after-school...

Posted by: Dawn Bushman | November 3, 2007 2:33 AM

While I did not take offense at the examples and discussion given in this program. I do agree with fellow posters that point out how this program missed the mark when it implied that the missing class is only made up of uneducated people. I am 52, single, self employed, female. With a college education and 24 years experience in my field. My industry has been devastated by technology turning what I do into a commodity. Businesses of all kinds give my services away for free in order to sell their products. I started out to build a business and planed to hire employees by this time but now I am living from project to project and barely able to keep out of the “missing class.” I do have some assets, a home a car and a little inherited property. But, I pay one tenth of my income in health insurance that I am afraid to use because I would be un insurable next time I need to change companies when the rates go up beyond my ability to pay. I have great fear for the future with Social Security in question, which I have already paid six figures into...

Posted by: MLM | November 3, 2007 2:16 AM

I applaud Bill Moyers and Katherine Newman for bringing additional attention to the rising tide of America's working poor who struggle to live, work, and raise their families here in the richest nation on earth. But, truly, many of "these people" (such a polarizing term) are NOT non-English speaking, minority, uneducated, or unskilled. As a white woman who was blessed with a solid middle class upbringing, college grad parents, and not one but two four-year degrees of my own, still I've spent most of my 15-year professional career grossing significantly less than $45K annually, generally with few benefits, while divorced and supporting two young children. The $20-35K salary range is, sadly, not at all unusual for similarly well-educated workers living in my small, Midwestern city. Tonight's segment clearly was focused on individuals far more disenfranchised than myself who are facing greater challenges with fewer social/familial supports in place; they are indeed fragile. Still, it would have made a more powerful story had Mr. Moyers and Ms. Newman done a better job of acknowledging that the millions of "these people" in this country are in fact a much broader and better educated group than was implied. We are everywhere.

Posted by: Jeanine Dahl | November 3, 2007 2:10 AM

The story began and ended by calling for the issues facing the near-poor to be taken up in the American political debate and presidential campaigns. It is therefore baffling that you failed to mention to your viewers that Sen. John Edwards wrote the forward to Professor Newman's book -- and that the 3 major policy recommendations that are made in the book, 1) universal health care independent of employment 2) access to affordable higher education and 3) reliable, safe day care for working parents are all center-pieces of Senator Edwards' campaign platform. Moreover, the other issues that were raised in the discussion -- higher wages, improving public education, affordable housing, credit at non-predatory rates -- are all central to his proposals to end poverty in the next generation. These proposals are discussed in detail on his website. I can understand why you would want to avoid what might have appeared to be an endorsement but a) you failed to tell the story adequately when you said the "missing class" is being overlooked in the political debate and even more importantly b) you missed an important opportunity to educate your viewers who do want to choose to vote for policies that...

Posted by: Greg Brown | November 3, 2007 1:34 AM

In an economic environment as wealthy as ours, there should be no need for income redistribution by government. What does it say about us that our systems are able to produce billionaires, but not provide a living wage to people willing to work 40 hours a week?

Posted by: Richard Floyd | November 3, 2007 12:53 AM

Great story. But I wish Bill had said that the Congress and the President should work out a deal for SCHIP, instead of saying the President vetoed a bill that would help all these people - speak the truth Bill

Posted by: bruce mccoy | November 3, 2007 12:53 AM

Unfortunately, the "Missing Class" issue and the immigration issues are not solved by simplistic one-track solutions. To attack the illegal immigrant on the basis of their breaking the law without asking just exactly what Americans are complicit by employing them and why, and without addressing trade laws dominated by the US that dispossess Mexicans to the point of forcing them to leave their families for survival, would make a cheap and easy program to put together but which would ignore important realities we need to know in order to make an educated decision on the matter. We are, after all, a democracy. And that requires some thorough understanding of all aspects of the problems we vote on on how to solve.

Posted by: Stephen Fischer | November 3, 2007 12:34 AM

"These people ... these people ... these people ... these people" -- after hearing that damnable phrase at least a hundred times in the course of this presentation, I was ready to vomit. The only thing that in any way redeemed the segment, Mr. Moyers, was your belated admission that your parents would have been counted in this sordid class, had it been so designated at the time. Well, here's news for you: Plenty of your viewers -- highly educated and articulate people -- cannot, in the present rigged-against-us system, earn more than 40 grand. And you and the very patronizing Ms. Newman have just insulted us mightily. I have heretofore been a great admirer of yours, Mr. Moyers, but this piece of nonsense only reinforced the wrongheaded "lack of education" excuse used by plutocrats to justify their wanton destruction of our economy. For pity's sake, kids today are leaving college with degrees and struggling to pay off $100,000 in student debt from $20,000 jobs at Starbuck's -- while vying for those jobs against equally well-schooled people of their parents' and grandparents' age. A vast number of what you and Ms. Newman were pleased to call "these people" are educated...

Posted by: GlitzQueen (aka The Other Katherine Harris) | November 3, 2007 12:34 AM

Newman discussion missed out one rising number of low wage earner illegally invaded into city and depressed wage. The Mexican invasion called it created a lots of joblessness and wage depression. The LEft media will not talk about it because they are afraid of attack from the La Raza and Chicano and Mexican political group. I know Bill Moyers would not touch the Mexican invasion issue so is Newman.

Posted by: jay mckim | November 3, 2007 12:10 AM

Hey, Thank you so much for your story on the subject of the Missing Class. Being a person who was relatively within this class, I am now no longer. I lost my employment due to out sourcing. Not outside the country mind you but within. I was the sole bread earner of my family (mother of two). Even through, I knew what it was like to be really poor; I still find the lost of my employment after 10 years of service distressing. It took a lot for me get off welfare, get out of section 8 housing, and earn a competitive income ($20,000 to $24,000 per year) for me and my children back then. Now I must begin anew. The safety nets of the past that were in place to help the poor (me) transition from welfare dependency or unemployment and to self sufficiency are no longer in place. We who are within this class are left without guidance or decent help from the social service that we paid into. I look to our government but I see no help there. They are more concern about a useless war, big corporations lobbing for welfare subsidies to compete in the...

Posted by: Phyllis L. Bartlett | November 3, 2007 12:10 AM

I have been a big fan of Bill Moyers and PBS since decades. The "missing class" with Ms. Newton was another excellent and exemplary interview. BUT...isn't it time to organize REAL debates between Capitalists & Progressives - perhaps in the style of Bill Buckley's "Firing Line" - rather than only always preaching to the converted choirs. PLEASE consider - can't wait much longer. Thank you! Francis

Posted by: Francis von Schoenborn | November 3, 2007 12:05 AM

I totally agree, with one exception. WE are not “missing”, WE are struggling, right here in each community, city and town in this nation, though disregarded by the media, oppressed by elected officials and our so called government. WE are told by this and past administrations “do more with less”, “personal responsibility”, “ compromise”, “ next time”, these will get you the “dream” so many of THEM espouse. Little by little over the past 30 or so years elitism policies, greed, ignorance, free trade and a carpet bagger disregard for one another promoted this ill reputed result. This election cycle? Plaaaaese! The blood of this nation doesn’t have time to listen nor cares to listen to the rhetoric. Give us something to really listen to, like, what is your plan for enriching our quality of life? Living wage jobs, affordable quality education for our children, affordable healthcare for families, a home, etc. These are the heart issues that matter to us. Enhance our quality of life instead of corporations, oil magnates and foreign governments and the like. There has been a SISYPHEAN WAR going on right here in this nation, WE fight it every day. Where are the billions, nay...

Posted by: Mona | November 3, 2007 12:04 AM

Living in northeast L.A. in an area once dominated by the latino "Avenues" gang, I see what Professor Newman was talking about. Society exploits the immigrant community by employing their fathers and mothers at less than minimum wage, and then condemn them for spawning gangs. Society can't have their cake and eat it too. It's a fundamental truism. And the immigrant-bashers deny the it's reality.

Posted by: Stephen Fischer | November 2, 2007 11:56 PM

why dont you talk about the REAL missing class??? ie the americans whose jobs and country are stolen away because all the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS will work for low wages. why are both examples that newman used people who didnt speak english? did she check their immigration status? why are we talking about foreigners who have sob stories on tv EVERYDAY when its ordinary AMERICANS in bad spots who are really missing because they get called racist for trying to protect their country. there wouldnt be over 50 million in the missing class if american wages werent dragged down by all the illegals. mike

Posted by: mike | November 2, 2007 11:28 PM

I'm a 42 year old divorced mother of teenager, with autoimmune disease with disabiling neurological deficits, pain and fatigue. I graduated with a B.S. magna cum laude, but since disease onset at 28 haven't been able to maintain a career. I depend on a small Social Security income which just reached a grand as of 2007 for my son and I. I'm lucky enough to own my home, with a $618 monthly payment. I do have medicare insurance for myself. Right now I have some state-medicaid health insurance for my son and $130/m foodstamps, but thats only because I proved my child support payments stopped. The moment I report my child support payments of $75 a week ($325/m) have resumed. I will lose the food stamp benefit and my son will be uninsured... Furthermore, I find myself falling out of representation as a disabled poor young head of households. Many government programs or services for which my disability and income might otherwise qualify me, exclude me because they do not account for the circumstance of having a minor dependent or my young age. The past year primarily bedridden and mentally challenge, the entire home management from meals to bills has...

Posted by: LostInTheHealthcareEconomicGap | November 2, 2007 11:23 PM

America is in deep denial about Poverty. I wrote this for a campaign website: Poverty is not just about “them.” With close to 70% of all tax returns in 2004 showing adjusted gross income of less than $50,000 (irs.gov), poverty for many families is uncomfortably close. That discomfort has spawned a real sense of insecurity and frustration for many. This is very personal quiz. No information will be stored or gathered about you. The only thing you need do is answer the following questions honestly for yourself, in the privacy of your own mind and heart. Take the test: 1. Do you worry about losing your job? never; occasionally; frequently 2. Are you afraid to ask your boss or supervisor for a raise? 3. Did your last raise in pay cover increases in your living costs? 4. Have you gone to work when sick or put off a vacation because you wouldn't be able to pay bills if you took time off? 5. Have you put off going to the dentist, eye doctor, or veterinarian (for your pet) until your finances get better? 6. Have you put off some household repairs and maintenance until your finances are better? 7. Do...

Posted by: songweasel | November 2, 2007 10:54 PM

Ever since Reagan's trickle down economy the rich have been getting richer, while the rest of us are working harder, and doing worse than ever. Who makes the most money in our society? Hedge Fund managers are among the richest, yet they produce nothing. They are no more than sophisticated gamblers. At least Henry Ford made cars! The rest of us should ask just one question: When will the trickle down economy trickle down to us? I really appreciate Professor Newman's work. I have found two other other good books which deal with this topic: "Nickle and Dimed" by Ehrenreich and "Deer Hunting With Jesus" by Joe Bageant. In this "go it alone" economy the secret is to never get sick, and never lose your job. If you do,too bad for you. Now get out of the way of all the tricklers above you before they run you down with their SUV!

Posted by: Steven Rudin | November 2, 2007 10:38 PM

Im a 47yr old single man..4 yr art college educated..wrk at one of Philadelphia's largets law firms..which did 1/2 Billion dollars in billing last year...I earn 29,800yr as a puchaser of supplys..I drive a 26yr old truck,and luckily live with my partner..I have $3,000 dollars in chking, and minor savings to my name,I pay for hlth Ins. thru wrk, and have a small investment thru wrk...I try NOT to think of the future..it depresses me..I have No idea where I'll be, or how I'll survive come retirement age.

Posted by: J Rex Costello | November 2, 2007 10:36 PM

Despite the expressed sympathy by professor Newman for the plight of struggling Americans, and perhaps in spite of the excellent education and admitted advantages of being an Ivy League academic and author, "these people", in her view, do not experience a system "stacked against them". For all the good purpose and intent of this conversation, a bitter taste of class condescension permeated. Until we can see each other and relate to one another without these over riding qualifiers, distinctions and misperceptions the net effect is a maintenance of the status quo. It's precisely our system and it's supporting sensibilities of denial and exclusion which serves the privileged at the expense of those exploited. For some, the exploitation is a brazen, unapologetic reality. For others, more a pretentious omission of any sense of personal responsibility for a reinforcing mindset.

Posted by: Ralph Davis | November 2, 2007 10:32 PM

PBS: Profoundly Bad Storytelling...the Bill Moyers episode following up FCC regulations missed the point. This episode completely undermined any true American consensus by referencing the bad theatrical performance of Al Sharpton's most recent Race hustling symposium in Jena, LA. Instead of following a journalistic ethic of finding the heart of the issue and triangulating truth...you give racial centric demagogues air-time.

Posted by: truthmeup | November 2, 2007 10:28 PM

There's more to the "missing class" than you've discussed. I am a 51 year old woman with a college degree in Jupiter Fl wondering where I fit in to the picture. I do own a home, have been a realtor for the past 6 years just barely surviving before the balloon burst here. I have been applying for professional jobs for over a year. Last year my net income was $13,000. I've dipped into the equity of my home to survive. I have no health insurance, no food stamps and two kids in college. My taxes and homeowners insurance last year: $7000.00. I have taken a job as a nanny making 450.00 a week. It's just not cutting it. No savings, no ira's. Just bills. I can't see our economy as thriving in any way and am trying to figure out a way to "hold on." I know I am not alone here in south Florida. Almost every single mom I know is in the same situation. Is there any way for us to hold on to our dreams?

Posted by: Michele Brown | November 2, 2007 10:07 PM