Stop the assault on middle class

In the middle of the 20th century, a true middle class emerged in the United States. This was brought about by the mobilization of the economy due to World War II, the reforms and protections of the New Deal and the education of hundreds of thousands of young men and women through the GI Bill. During this period, small businesses were formed, corporations saw profit increases and the U.S. became the engine of growth for the world.

At this same time, the American economy was tightly regulated by federal agencies. Also at this time, the highest incremental tax rate reached 90 percent. Yet, the American economy and the new middle class continued to grow.

This situation continued until the 1970s and the Reagan years when we were told that government is the problem. Deregulation followed, along with tax reductions, “trickle down” economics and huge federal deficits. The middle class has continued to lose its dominance since. Manufacturing in the U.S. has dwindled and “made in China” has become our national slogan. Today, middle class homeownership is in foreclosure and few of our children will meet or exceed our standard of living. Yet, we are told that we need more deregulation, more tax cuts for the rich and a smaller and smaller safety net. We remember the feelings of hope and anticipation of greater things to come that we felt at that time. Those good feelings are gone along with the jobs that fed them. Hope is not made in China. Before we come to the next election, we should all reread Charles Dickens to see our future if we allow the radical conservatives to continue their assault on the American middle class. We need to remember our history of only 50 years ago to understand where we need to take our country.

Jack D. Adams

Wheeling