Some really great points here!To expand on some of them:@rocket
While your first sentence is correct, it also bears stating that this is not a new phenomenon. Jobs have been eliminated by technology for generations. To use the "classic" economic example, look at buggy whip makers. Years ago there were thousands of people making buggy whips - not so today. They were obsoleted by technology. Look at farming - a statistic that I once heard was that at the turn of the century, one out of every ten people in America earned their living from farming (that includes the families of the actual farmers). Today, the number is something like one in 100. And, at the turn of the century, we were barely producing enough food to feed 200 million Americans. Today, with one-tenth of the farmers, we are producing enough food to feed 300 million people and exporting a third more! Why? Because of tractors, fertilizer, irrigation, etc. My grandfather worked in the coal mines. His job was to tend to the horses and mules that were used to pull the wagons through the mines and run the lifts. Bet he would have a tough time getting a job doing that today! So the obsoleting of jobs by technology has been going on for centuries.As for your second sentence, I don't know. Back in the day (not to long ago), we had "robber barons" and families like the Vanderbilt's, Carnegie's, J.P. Morgan, etc. who were desperately wealthy. I think that we tend to maybe have more "rich" families, but less "mega rich" families than in years gone by.Also, I think your point about preparation is right on. I read a statistic the other day that said that technology is evolving so quickly today that: 1)The amount of new technical information is doubling every two years. For students starting a 4 year technical college degree, this means that half of what they learn in in their first year of study will be outdated by their third year of study”; 2) The top ten in-demand jobs in 2010 - did not exist in 2004. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that today’s learner will have 10-14 jobs . . . by the age of 38; and 3) We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist . . . using technologies that haven’t been invented . . . in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet. These authors go on to point out: "Though higher education is certainly about more than preparing students for jobs, technologies, and problems, one broader and exceptionally clear point emerges: We need to prepare students for what we can’t prepare them for."(Source).I think that, in order to re-expand the middle class we need to start with the youth and how they view education. Gone are the days when a child would "follow in his parents footsteps". By the time the child is old enough to follow the footsteps, the footsteps will be gone!

bump (waiting for the "chops")

[quote-tag-mismatch][quote-tag-mismatch]@FairlaneI would like to say that rocket didn't say he didn't want a "political discussion". However, I do think he didn't want this thread to turn into the usual Democrats vs. Republicans, we vs. them, thread. So far, it's been successful. I'm interested to see for how long.@nikkiole: Exactly Nik, to paraphrase MLK, we may have all come on different ships but we're in the same boat now. So the question is where do we go from here?[quote-end-tag-mismatch]@rocket: are you derailing your own thread? What does this mean? My point, is that the politicians over "insert" themselves in free enterprise...which is the wealth building system in this country...not the government.

[quote-end-tag-mismatch]@Fairlane67: Just reiterating the issue at hand doesn't lend itself to the usual political divide. The fact is the rich are getting richer, the middle class is shrinking, and the poor are getting poorer. Is there anything that can be done to change the equation, and if so what? I'm extremely happy that thus far the D or R word hasn't been mentioned. But to your point, if the politicians didn't insert themselves, would it be even worse, especially for those on the bottom of the ladder? Maybe I can get a better idea if you explain "over insert".

I just wasn't sure what MLK had to do with the current economic conditions...thanks for clarifying.
I said "over" insert themselves in regards to Politicians. Sensible regulation is not what I am talking about. But since you feel the Politicians are benefiting....what governmental program has promoted growth of small business, corporations and the opportunity of individuals to succeed in their chosen occupations...(regardless of status) in recent years?

I still feel that this is the land of opportunity. There are plenty of success stories where someone comes here with literally nothing and they are able to work hard, show determination and make a good life for themselves. I also know plenty of people who were raised dirt poor here and were able to rise above and make a good life. I also know some who come from upper class families with plenty of opportunity that have fallen down and are unable to provide for themselves and there families. Being born and educated here gives you a huge head start. There is no Caste system in America. The common denominator is the person who is willing to make their own opportunities or squander the ones that are given to them with some exceptions of some bad luck. But luck is usually made not given.

www.youtube.com/watc h?v=f0ehzfQ4hAQ

@Fairlane67: One I can think off right of the bat is the Small Business Administration. The SBA has given many an opportunity to fulfill dreams that would not have been possible otherwise.