Yes. And? That wasn't the segment I was referring to:
In reality, the middle class now makes up just over 50 percent of the total U.S. population, according to a recent report from Pew Research Center, which used 2016 data.
Pew defines the middle class as those whose annual household income is two-thirds to double the national median, which was $57,617 as of 2016. By that definition, a middle-income three-person household earns about $45,000 to $135,000. If you're single, a salary of around $26,000 to $78,000 qualifies you as middle-income.
Hence why I said "50+% of Americans are middle class and earn a minimum of $26,000 all the way up to $78,000." Why do you keep referring to self-reporting?
The fact that you posted that 50% of American's are middle class means you don't understand what middle class is.
Or sociologists apparently....
Why indulge this fiction that everyone on ERA, a forum for a hobby centred around expensive electronics, is living on the ragged edge of poverty in some menial job a hair's breadth away from being fired and replaced? Some do, undeniably. A majority? More than the national average? Give over.
Everyone wants change but won't do anything to change.