Progress Being Made in Strengthening America's Middle Class
After decades of decline, progress is being made towards strengthening America's middle class through initiatives focused on creating good paying jobs without requiring college degrees along with other measures such as increasing minimum wage and implementing paid family leave policies.
Feb. 05, 2023 12:56AM
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A graphic depicting an upward arrow indicating progress with an American flag backdrop
For decades, the middle class – the backbone of America – has been hollowed out. But now, progress is being made to strengthen this essential demographic. The economic plan focuses on creating good jobs that don’t require a college degree and can support families. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over 11 million jobs have been created since 2010, with many of them being middle-class positions such as teachers, nurses, construction workers and truck drivers. The unemployment rate has also dropped from 10% in 2009 to 3.6% in 2019—the lowest it’s been since 1969—with job openings at an all-time high and wages rising faster than inflation for the first time in decades. The plan is also working to make sure these jobs are secure by investing in infrastructure projects like roads and bridges; expanding access to affordable health care; providing tax cuts for small businesses; and increasing access to education opportunities so people can get the skills they need for better paying jobs without taking on large amounts of debt. It’s not just about creating more jobs though—it’s about making sure those jobs pay enough so people can afford basic necessities like housing, food, healthcare and childcare without going into debt or relying on government assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid. To do this, some states have increased their minimum wage while others have implemented paid family leave policies so parents don’t have to choose between work and taking care of their children. This focus on strengthening the middle class is already having a positive impact on communities across the country as more people are able to provide for themselves and their families without relying on government aid or living paycheck-to-paycheck. It’s a sign that progress is being made towards ensuring everyone has access to quality employment opportunities that will help them build a better future for themselves and their families—and ultimately strengthen our nation as a whole.