Internet Rages Over View That Upper Middle Class 'Is Not Your Enemy'

A claim that those considered to be among the "upper middle class" are "not your enemies" has sparked controversy among users of Reddit.

In a post titled "The upper-middle-class is not your enemy," which had 18,900 upvotes at the time of writing, Reddit user VVVVagabond wrote: "The people who are making 200k-300k, who drive a Prius [a Toyota Prius car] and own a 3 bedroom home in a nice neighborhood are not your enemies.

"Whenever I see people talk about class inequality or 'eat the [rich]' they somehow think the more well off middle-class people are the ones it's talking about? No, it's talking about the top 1 percent of the top 1 percent. I'm closer to the person making minimum wage in terms of lifestyle than I am to those guys," the user added.

According to the Pew Research Center's analysis of government data, which was published in April 2022, "the middle class, once the economic stratum of a clear majority of American adults, has steadily contracted in the past five decades."

The proportion of adults who live in middle-class households had dropped from 61 percent in 1971 to 50 percent in 2021, according to the analysis.

The Pew Research Center's report said: "Household incomes have risen considerably since 1970, but those of middle-class households have not climbed nearly as much as those of upper-income households."

In 2020, the median income of middle-class households was 50 percent greater than it was in 1970 ($90,131 vs. $59,934), "as measured in 2020 dollars," according to the center.

The latest Reddit post received a flurry of comments from users, with some agreeing that there's no difference whether you make "20k, or 200k a year," while others disagreed.

User shp865 said: "The most unpopular opinion in America because if it was a popular opinion from both sides, the rich would be s******* in their shorts," in a comment that got 2,200 upvotes.

GenericFatGuy said: "There's only two classes. Working class, and owner class. If you're required to work in order to survive, then you're working class. Doesn't matter if it's 20k, or 200k a year."

ATX_native said the original poster's comment was, "So true," explaining that: "If you're making $300k a year, you have more in common with someone making minimum wage than you do with Elon [Musk, the founder of Tesla and other corporations]. There are people that walk among us that have so much wealth, that even generations of mismanagement can't squander it. These folks you speak of are not those folks."

Clemario agreed, adding that: "The difference between middle class and upper class isn't income, it's influence. Doctors and lawyers and engineers still have to work hard to maintain their lifestyle."

DualtheArtist also said influence plays a part in class differences, stating: "People like Musk and other celebrity rich are seen as very distasteful to the people who ACTUALLY have f****** influence and not just through their wealth but systematic generational efforts to rat f**k the system to their families benefit…"

SensibleReply, who said they're a surgeon who's still paying off their loan at the age of 37, noted: "I make a good living, but I promise I'm not 'rich'… I'm a W-2 worker who has to be at the office, and I physically earn every dollar. Sure, one day my capital might make more than I do, but I've been grinding for my whole life."

Other users disagreed with the original poster's claim, explaining that there is a difference in "the quality of life" when you have a six-figure salary.

Alexander1899 said: "Food security, health insurance, [being] able to afford a car that isn't on the verge of breaking down, [being] able to afford quality housing, able to invest and plan for retirement. There is a massive jump in quality of life from 20K a year to even 100K, let alone 200 or 300."

TheWorstMasterChief said: "Well. I think there's one difference. My wife and I make combined about $450k. And we just don't worry about money. By that I mean, money concerns don't keep me up at night. Which is a HUGE difference from people making minimum wage."

In a reply to TheWorstMasterChief, user _Ayrity_ said: "Absolutely true. It still doesn't make you the enemy. I think that was the OPs main point."

FabulousLettuce2721 explained that: "Income at that level provides people [with] luxuries and privileges people making $50k and below would love to have. You're an absolute clown if you think someone making $300k is the same as a person making minimum wage. Sure they're not Elon musk's level, but you're not in the same category as someone making $50k or below."

User karmander said: "I think the question is, are the people who make $300k in touch with the struggle of people bringing home poverty wages? Are they in solidarity with the working class? Or have they abandoned them because they think their class interests are more aligned with Musk and Bezos?"

ClapBackBetty said: "This is why we can't have a revolution. People will be burning doctors and lawyers at the stake while the rich just laugh from their underground bunkers."