According to our president, the rich are those who make $200,000 or more as individuals and $250,000 or more as households. Thus, anyone earning less than that is considered middle class. There is a huge difference between what the average workers make to be considered middle class. I'm guessing that many of us are "upper poor."

The president stated that he wouldn't raise taxes on the middle class. Yes, he kept his word on that one. We upper-poor folks got nailed. Between regular bills and prescription costs and tax increased, many of us who had a little bit of spending money will see that disappear.

Redistributing the wealth can only go so far. The American jobs were sold overseas by our politicians. Then they allow large corporations to pay zero taxes.

I can't even look forward to the day I tell my grandkids, "I remember when milk was $8 a gallon. Gasoline used to be $14 a gallon. Anyone who smoked paid only $10 a pack. Yep, those were the good old days."

Bob Anderson

Belleville