Class

Today, Oprah talked about class. As in socio-economic class. It was very interesting, and pointed out that the divide between the haves and have-nots is increasing. Something like 40% of the population controls the majority of the wealth, earning high six-figures, while the remainder toil for a median salary near 34k annually.

The econonmic advisor from the Clinton administration said that this widening gap does threaten the stability of the United States--that if people no longer believe they can achieve the "American Dream" they become frustrated, and in that frustration, become socially and politically dangerous.

He has a point. Last quarter, when discussing the fall of Rome with my students, one of them asked if I thought the United States was in decline. I answered yes, and we proceeded to make parallels from Rome to the United States, as well as other examples.

Like it or not, I think Keynes had it right. Economics (money) is the driving force behind history. When asked where the money was going next, my students had no problem identifiying countries like China and Korea. Oprah's site has a quiz to help you evaluate your socio-economic class. I'm not asking you to post results, but take a look and consider some of those questions. If you don't think you can live or achieve your dream or rise to another economic level...what does that mean to you?