The Stimulus Plan: The upper middle class gets the shaft

As the government trumpeted the economic stimulus plan today of at least $600 to “most” families in the country, there is a dirty little secret.

The upper middle class gets the shaft.

If you are single and make over $75,000: too bad, so sad.

If you’re married and make more than $150,000, you don’t qualify either.

It’s not that I’m crying in my coffee for the upper middle class. Do they “need” the $600 or $1200 a month? Will they spend it or save it? If they save it, it does the economy little good.

But the plan’s limits do make me think that there are quite a few families in the high income metropolitan areas (Chicago, NY, LA, San Francisco etc.) who could actually use that money because the money situation is tight.

These are families who live in bigger homes and drive bigger cars in very expensive areas. With gas prices so high, that $1200 could have gone to filling up the SUV a few more times. Or it could have gone to furniture for the expensive little cottage or condo.

Aren’t these good causes too?

The rich don’t “need” the stimulus. But is $150,000 rich now?

Many people living in the Chicago area would laugh at the idea that $150,000 is “rich”.

And I personally know several people who are upset that they don’t qualify for the stimulus checks. It’s like hearing about a cool party and everyone is invited except you. How annoying!

Are they just greedy rich people or is their disappointment justified?

I guess there has to be a cut-off for the stimulus at some income level. Too bad for those who are “rich.” Sorry upper middle class workers. That would be you.