Of course I'm middle class....right?

No one wants to stand out, especially as we climb the ladder from poverty to the lower middle class....or from the lower middle to just plain middle....or from middle on up.

But as we cling to our belief that we remain 'just plain folks,' things change. We just don't like to admit it.

The average annual family income in America (in 2008, the last year measured as of this post) was just over $50,000. So, if you're in a two-earner home, each pulling down, say, $35,000 -- well, you're well over the average even if you find it hard to believe.

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/cpstables/032009/hhinc/new01_001.htm

As you earn more, it is easy to forget your place in society, and harder to remember how many others have it tougher than you.

The Census tracks household income, marking the 20th percentile -- as well as 40th, 60th and 80th -- in an effort to identify the middle class.

It would be safe to say that if the curve tracking income in America had a middle, those between the 20th and 80th percentile -- the middle 60% -- would be a generously-sized middle class. In 2008, that generous spot is filled by households with income between around $20,000 and $100,000.

As I said, a generous middle.

A more refined midsection of American households would be the middle percentile -- between the 40th and 60th. Those homes in 2008 had between $39,000 and $62,000.

I'll bet that most folks who whine about taxes that 'hurt' the middle class don't fall in that tight range.

See for yourself -- the link below will open up a spreadsheet that will show you the 2008 numbers and those preceding it in numbers during the measured year and also in comparative 2008 dollars.

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/data/historical/household/h01AR.xls

Sobering stuff, and something that should make many two-earner households very thankful for their achievements, success and earnings.

My taxes are too high -- what are the facts?

Arizonans practically require tax cuts from every government entity on an annual basis. Mathematically, that cannot serve any population -- after all, if you spent less on, say, food each year while food costs rose, even gradually, eventually you might go hungry.

It is, however, an article of faith in the Grand Canyon State that taxes are out of control.

What do the facts say?

Property taxes in AZ are fairly low, according to the information at this link, which shows AZ ranking 18th in 50:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/Advice/PropertyTaxesWhereDoesYourStateRank.aspx

Overall, the Tax Foundation found that 2008 taxes -- the last year they studied as of this post -- has AZ at 41 out of 50 when considering all taxes. See for yourself:

http://www.retirementliving.com/tax_burden_2008.pdf

Cutting taxes where they are not high -- however you define 'high' -- may be dangerous. You could get poor educational performance from such spending, unless you think being the 49th state in 50 might somehow still lead to good public education:

http://www.epodunk.com/top10/per_pupil/

Like I said -- stubborn things.

Welcome to Stubborn Things

It is said that facts are stubborn things. After reading opinion pieces in newspapers and magazines for decades, it struck me that little conventional wisdom is supported by facts. At the least, I've wondered how often the common beliefs are fact-based.

This blog will attempt to consider the common beliefs of the day and try to find the facts that serve to illuminate those beliefs, regardless if they turn out to support or dispel that which we "all" believe.