Why doesn't the average American have a 'living wage' these days?

Question

Apologies: I should've been more specific with my question.

The revised version is:

Why DON'T we have a living wage these days?

Answer 1

How we define middle class America, and thus define how "most" Americans are doing is usually the key area of dispute in a discussion like this.

Democrats have a tendency to think of middle class Americans as blue collar, factory workers. As such, they are suffering in the new economy because global competition for their jobs has led to massive overseas outsourcing.

Republicans have a tendency to think of middle class Americas as white collar, office managers. As such, they are doing tremendously in the new economy because they are on top of the global competition. They have the education, training, and creative skills to dominate the market.

Thus, when Bush lists off the good signs that the economy is growing (like he did in his State of the Union speech) he assumes that most Americans are white collar people, who are seeing their own positions rise. Then the Democratic rebuttal comes on and speaks to the disaffected worker whose real wages and benefits are dropping.

Both speeches are correct for their targets. Blue collar workers are suffering, but white collar managers and creative workers are doing very well.

So, after the long way around the barn, I guess the answer to your question really depends on who you are referring to.

Answer 2

I think you are exaggerating the problem. Most people earn a living wage, and in fact are living on it. However people trying to live on the minimum or near the minimum wage are having a hard time. see http://www.visualizingeconomics.com/2006/11/05/2005-us-income-distribution/
to see what income distribution was in 2005. What is also true is that the GDP growth over the last 30 years has not been reflected in wage growth, and supply side economics, as practiced since 1980, has not increased the average wage, though it has increased the income of the rich.

Answer 3

I agree with Meg and Teach. The vast majority of Americans are living within their means -- that is, they are paying their bills with their incomes.

I think a better question is this: why do we all think we need more stuff? Isn't quality of life and care for our planet more important???

Why do we think we need several cars, and gas-guzzlers at that? Why do we need to work long hours and feed our kids at McDonalds rather than a home-cooked meal?

Answer 4

Because we are holding on by a thread to something we used to value - LIBERTY.

But people like you are doing a darn good job of having all of us become servants to your loyal master, government.

In what other ways do you support government force to control people's lives? What other rules do you want written that Americans are forced against their will to follow for the "common good." I'm sure you think health care and education should also be "free".
----
“Few men desire liberty. The majority are satisfied with a just master.”
-Gaius Sallustius Crispus (Sallust)

Answer 5

Blame George and his conservative crony's.
It's their plan to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. They think they deserve to have most of the money in the country. They'll piss in your pocket and tell you how good they are for you, but you know it's all a load of rubbish. Unfortunately too many people are easily conned