by David Giza

Created on: December 11, 2007

Being middle class in the United States or working class is tough. Everything is going up regarding the cost of living for individuals and families. My cable tv bill increases every year and I don't get more channels. I live in Connecticut and I'm a New York Knicks fan. The games are televised on MSG but my cable company dropped it. I currently have basic cable. To receive MSG now, I have to upgrade to digital TV with a sports package that will cost me substantially more.

The propane gas bill keeps increasing. When I moved to my current home three years ago, the price was $1.19 per gallon. Today, it's $2.62 per gallon. The price of gasoline is $3.14 per gallon. My utility company and water company have asked for and gotten approval for substantial rate increases that will increase my bill irrespective of my conservation efforts.

If this isn't bad enough, my hourly rate where I work doesn't increase. This is the main problem for everybody in the United States who is in the middle and working class income brackets: wages and salaries don't keep up with the continual increases in cost of living. We are getting hit from all sides all at once. It's like being in a boxing ring and you're getting hit continuously. You can't defend yourself because the hard shots just keep coming without pause.

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