Demonstration of the Middle Class Squeeze

Here is a must read post from The Left Coaster. The affluent class in America doesn't have a clue what life is like in the middle, much less the lower half of the the median income. I previously posted on an basic budget for a family of four living at the poverty line. It's apparent that survival with normative American expectations isn't possible. Keep a roof overhead and food on the table is the entire focus.
Now we see that an near the median American income in the US can't provide for retirement. (U.S. median income for 2003 is $43,318.)

[Monthly Totals for a hypothetic man making $40,000 living in San Deigo, CA.]
Gross $769.23
Taxes $182.72
Rent $285.00
Utils $124.56
_____________
Net $176.95


There is yet no provision for a car, a phone, food, entertainment, [medical] or other personal expenses.