https://pjmedia.com/tatler/2011/12/09/woe-is-not-me/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 04:59:58 -0400<![CDATA[California’s middle-class families — once 60 percent of families in the state — have lost ground, reports the San Jose Mercury News. Only 49.7% are middle class, earning $44,000 to $155,000 a year, according to the Public Policy Institute of California, which dubs it “Recession’s Toll.” Woe is . . . Wait a second! The graph shows a sharp rise in upper-income families. Since 2007, their share has grown from 5.5% to 13.7%. The share of low-income families has grown slightly from 33.9% to 36.6%. That suggests most of the “lost” middle class climbed up the economic ladder. The poor are even poorer, concludes the PPIC. Earnings are down 21 percent for families in the lowest bracket.  But low-income people don’t suffer more because other people are well-off. In fact, the 13.7% can give more to charities to help the 36.9%. The 49.7% should kick in too. We’re doing OK.]]>Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:28:59 -0500<![CDATA[Joanne Jacobs]]>https://pjmedia.com/joanne-jacobs/2011/12/09/woe-is-not-me-n157738