http://web.archive.org/web/20010219072517/http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/010206_uncons.htmlJust a reminder, and a thanks to all who haven't given up over these tortuous years.
This is a story of a typical American middle class family. Typical, in the sense that they are very "comfortable" with their lives. They have the requisite two jobs, two cars, two children and a dog and a cat (two pets). They even have two mortgages (a first, and a home equity loan).
They also have the requisite extended families of parents, brothers, sisters, in-laws and even an outlaw (the maverick of the family, Uncle Joe, who was put away for some years for tax fraud). All of whom are just as typical as our subjects. Well, maybe Uncle Joe isn't typical, but you get the idea�
The comfortable life of this family is very much taken for granted. Their four bedroom, three bath suburban house is in a fine community with good schools, low crime and wonderful neighbors. Dad's position as a manager in a large corporation in the city brings home a six-figure income. Mom's job as a retail store manager at the local mall pays well enough to make it worthwhile. The kids are spoiled, yet polite teenagers, whose materialistic appetites for "stuff" grows from wanting the latest PlayStation game to the latest cool car.
The family belongs to the local golf club, the Lions Club and a non-denominational church. They attend church infrequently, mostly on the major religious holidays. They consider themselves upstanding members of these communities.
much more. A great read from the DU of years ago.............