WHY THE MIDDLE CLASS IS VANISHING
Just about any measure of "income inequality" reported by the media or trumpeted by Democrats is grossly misleading.
How gross? Take a look at the table below. Note that it is for Mississippi, one of the lowest welfare payment states. Note, too, that this chart is pre-Obamacare, which is hugely redistributive.
As you'll see, after considering taxes and redistribution, someone earning $60,000 per year has about $3,400 less effective income than someone earning $14,500 per year. The trend toward part time jobs started before Obamacare, though that made the incentives for part time work even stronger than shown in the chart.
The big drop in the percentages of people participating in the work force is not due to aging Baby Boom demographics. The percentage of the 55 and older cohort that is employed has actually increased since 2009. The prime working age participation of the 18-44 and 45-55 year olds has dropped dramatically.
Looking at the chart, you can see that:


