XPost: phl.media, pa.politics   
   From: artclemons@aolSPAM.com   
      
   hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:   
      
   > There are plenty of exceptions and blurred lines, of course, but   
   > someone's "class" is far more than than merely income level.  There are   
   > cultural differences between a plumber and a teacher.  It is not   
   > demarced by strict lines as in old time England.  But spend time in a   
   > middle class vs. working class neighborhood and there will be no   
   > question of which you are in.   
   >   
      
   Considering how short a period of time much of what is now alleged to be   
   middle class has been middle class in the US, you're attempting to make a   
   distinction without merit.  It might be comforting to think of one's self   
   as comfortably middle class because of education or job title, but and it's   
   a key but, how does the offspring of what you apparently want to describe   
   as lower class suddenly become middle class.  What class for example is the   
   son or daughter of a Pullman Porter who becomes a lawyer?  What class is   
   the daughter or son of a doctor who becomes a welder?  Class distinctions   
   in the US aren't based on birth, or indeed even on job title, it's   
   behavior, and the well to do electrician is likely to move to a   
   neighborhood that's middle class, rather than one that is lower class.  My   
   point before about what the offspring is telling, the British system with   
   locked in class expectations is also withering away.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)