McCain's definition of rich

John McCain is really out of touch with the average American. I find it hard to understand how someone like him - who grew up in a household with the best of everything - daddy being a big shot in the military and then marrying a millionaire - can know what's best for me, the average American who struggles and lives paycheck to paycheck.

What a whiner!

Why are you reporting that this was a joke? McCain was serious. That's what he thinks 'middle class' means. Just a few million a year, as opposed to the hundres of millions his wife makes which he then has access to. He also thinks you couldn't find American citizens who would be willing to pick vegetables for $50/hr. Really, the guy has no idea what life is like for the poor and non-wealthy, stop cutting him slack he doesn't deserve.

Sen. McCain further explained his definition of rich to be a philosophical mixture of family, education, friends and host of other ancillaries than real dollars. Fortunately, for me (I speak as one who is rich by this definition) the tax code is not written such that the level of my education, the extent of love that I receive of my family, and the good company of my friends are measured by the government or taxed. Quite conversely, the tax code is published such that dollars "real numbers" are measured. I suppose if I were rich by Senator McCain definition, and I am, I would have no worries about the price of gas, the price of food, the soaring cost of energy, or foreign debt. Those problems are not philosophical issues they are "real numbers," dollars and cents, financial problems that only "real numbers" can solve.

It was interesting to see the audience laud him for trivializing such difficult issues. I trust that someone will pick up on it and make his campaign pay for making fun of working people.

We need a president who will encourage working class people to work by making easier for them to find good jobs; a president who will make it easier for people who are rich (by John McCains definition) to prosper the economy by not taxing them as heavily-its almost a built-in economic stimulous; a president who has a dollars and sense understanding of the economic problems that face the nation. We need a president who will use the tax code to ecourage economic prosperity by rewarding corporation for creating jobs at home, by rewarding small businesses, and by rewarding middle and low income wage earner - because they are the most likely candidates to consume product made in America.

It was a joke, you ding dongs. Get a life and quit using your fuzzy math calculations when you're dealing with other people's money.

deb ,

Did you even watch the forum? When McCain said $5,000,000 he was joking!!!! Have you any idea how much money the Obama's are worth? As for you living paycheck to paycheck - the answer is not to take someone else's money. The "average American" does not live paycheck to paycheck. The average American has a cell phone, cable TV, and a plasma TV. Compare yourself to the average "insert country here". Feeding at the govt. trough is not the American way. The Obama campaign took this comment out of context just like the Iraq comment. Dirty Politics from the candidate for hope and change? More deceit than change.

I thinks some people need to look up the definition of hyperbole.

I don't think he was joking

Rich... Democrats want to paint it as the $100,000 line per individual, $200,000 per couple.

I'm sorry, I make a little more than that and after so much taxes I end up with more like $6,000 a month in take home.

That sure ain't rich.

John McCain is the great elitist in his $500 shoes and his private plane and his six houses. Obama grew in a single parent household which struggled to give him a great education. McCain was at the bottom of his Anapolis class becasue as an elitist, he did not cherish the education.

I like this ad! It's obvious McCain doesn't care about the middle class. I hope the Democrats will continue to grow a spine and start pounding McCain hard with these ads. There are plenty of issues they can slam McCain for without resorting to childish ads like his campaign has.

Why do you say McCain's "joke"? He was not joking. He may have tried to have it both ways by passing his real answer off as a joke so he can't be called on it - knowing as he does how outrageous it is - but it's no joke, as his tax policy clearly shows.

In John Johns circle of friends, your are middle class if you make under $5mil, and $5mil is just the entry level, your are still poor compared to that wife of his...

If you REALLY think John McCain thinks middle class starts at 5 million dollars...please don't vote this election. Idiots are ruining this nation and you are chief among them. Please people - I'm not a republican homer but these idiot tactics need to stop.

"A Country of Whiners" was a comment by McCain's Primary Economic Advisor. Republicans are out of touch with Average American, and playing dirty politics that convert most simple minded democrats into voting for Republicans.

John McCain is the great elitist in his $500 shoes and his private plane and his six houses. Obama grew in a single parent household which struggled to give him a great education. McCain was at the bottom of his Anapolis class because as an elitist, he did not cherish the education.

Obama is really out of touch with the average American. Why should successful people be punished for their success. It is rich people who spend money, hire people and invest, thus helping our economy. Stealing money from the rich to give to someone else is Socialism.

There is ample opportunity for everyone in America to improve themselves and their situation. Anyone living paycheck to paycheck needs to create a budget

Since when does being the son of someone who served his country make you "rich'? Obama said; "those making over $250,000 are able to pay higher taxes". Thats right, educate yourself, work hard to get ahead and socalists like Obama think you need to be punished with higher taxes. Obama and the left are a cancer that wants to kill capitalism. Bad for the economy, bad for America.

for sure deb!
As a veteran myself, being "IN" the military and being an Admiral's son are in no way related. There is no more special treatment than that. He never felt short on payday or considered food stamps. Way to take care of your volunteer force.
After 5 years in the military I was making $26K annually. THAT's the retention problem, not a revised GI Bill.

For anyone who knows anything about economics, to be considered rich a few years ago, one must make $5,000,000 a year. That number might be higher now. Remember, if you make $100,000 or even $200,000 a year, you are still living paycheck to paycheck and may not have anything in savings. The more one makes, the more one will spend!

Critics will claim that this quote is taken out of context, but if you look at the entire context, it's even more disturbing.

First, when John McCain was asked to identify the dividing line between middle class and "rich," he found it appropriate to make an attempt at humor, which callously mocked the plight of the struggling American middle class.

Second, if you look at his actual policy, it turns out that his "joke" is borne out by his actual position, which substantially benefits those making between $2.5 and $5 million, but disenfranchises the actual middle class, many of whom get asdfdnothing at all.

He attempted to frame the comment as a joke, but the reality of John McCain is far worse. He'd be better off if this comment were presented in its full context, because people might be more likely to dismiss it as a joke, and less likely to notice that his actual policy is exactly what he says.

Yeah, and Obama is really in touch. By the logic of this article, Obama, by taxing me more, would somehow pass even more Gov tax refunds my direction? I don't want more taxes at all! 28% is freaking enough! I don't want to pass my extra 401K $$$ (For my Grandchildren) in the form of taxes, to help someone who refuses to work on their own future! Sure Obama had to struggle by growing up with a racist Grandmother who had nothing. The state took good care of him and made sure he had an education. His brain got him into Harvard and then he figured out how to spread the wealth to all the unfortunate unwed mothers and other low-income folks. When will the wealth envy end?

Rich Hansen

Wake up America! It's not John McCain..........It' the country that voted for him that is out of touch.
Do you have health care? Do you have freedom? (think about how free your life is) Are you loved by other countries? Do you have time to enjoy life? Are you in yet another war over energy? (that happens to make all of the Bush's rich) Who are the fools? It's time to travel the world and see how others live with your own eyes. You are not in a paradise. You are not better than other people of the world. But you are out of touch.

He looks like a corpse, and pretty much thinks like one. That's all I have to say.

and then john mccain spent 5 years in a tropical vacation - I bet he never had to work for a living in that Vietnamese prison camp - how could he learn how to understand suffering there?

I'm not sure I'd vote for McCain, but I can still reject the nonsense inherent in this ad. It does play nicely to Massachusetts form of ignorant populism though.

The only people that could be worried by this comment are rich people below the 5million mark and don't want to pay the same taxes as the rest of us. Poor Paris Hilton, what will she do living in the same tax bracket as me?

Our budget is throwing away money faster than we can tax it outta the people. Until our federal government's expenses have been reduced to a reasonable level, who really cares who gets taxed what? Increasing taxes to pay for uncontrolled and unresonable spending is f*'ing the taxpayer to buy votes.

I will tell you how, by letting you keep your own money instead of giving it to a government that will just waste it.

I take exception to your comment about "daddy being a big shot in the military and then marrying a millionaire'

Being a big shot in the military means dedicating your life to the service of this country. You try living in a bamboo cage for 7 years for your freedom.

I would be willing to bet if you COULD HAVE married a millionaire you would have. John Kerry married money and his life sucks.

If you live paycheck to paycheck then you are living above your means. Go to school, get an education, and define your own future and don't tell me you cant. It will just take hard work. It took me 7 years to get my college degree.

Stop overspending and don't tell me you aren't. Start living at the standard of living that your income will support. If you cant make your rent or house payment live in a cheaper place, one that your can afford. Suffer for awhile.

If you want to live in a socialist society where the government gives you all that you have move to Cuba. See how you like it living in object poverty.

What a whiner.

There is such a significant generational gap between these two candidates that it is actually scary. One guy has never used e-mail or been on the web which speaks
volumes of his thoughts on the future. Speaking as one who is in his generation, I think John McCain needs to change his staff to include people who are in the new arena of technolgy and understand that drilling for oil off shore is likely to take 10 years or more and will only bring more demands from the eastern countries. His middle class comments show me his isolation in Washington has made him unaware of the struggles of the average American.

There are plenty of studies showing the average price of gas, housing, groceries, commuting, etc or recommended savings for emergencies or retirement. Comparing the what it actually costs to live in areas of the country vs what people actually make is a pretty basic overview of wealth.Can you meet the "basics" of shelter, food, transporation, retirement, savings, etc.

How about this for a guideline of who could be considered 'rich' or 'middle class' (VERY SIMPLIFIED):

Based upon your area of the country what does it cost (monthly) to afford:
1) a mortgage on a median priced home at a competive fixed interest rate
2) afford to commute to work (average gas price & average commuting time/distance)
3) for those with kids, some type of daycare arrangement
4) to invest something into a retirement plan (410(k), IRA , etc)
5) groceries for a family of four

Yes I understand that this similar to a standard of living comparison but I usually see standard of living used in the context of area A has a higher standard of living than area B. Not if a person is making an average salary for area A can the actually afford an average priced home, daycare, save something, cover their utility expenses, etc in area A.

For example If it costs $80,000 to meet the above needs in one area of the country and your income is comparable (+/- 15% or whatever) then that is the middleclass for at area. In another area of the country that same $80K may put put you well above your neighbors. You are "rich" (or at least upper upper middle class) if taxes increase, gas skyrockets, expenses increases, etc and you are not required to change your spending habits at all. There has to be some point where (regardless of where you live) your expenses (including leisure/vacations/etc) are not impacted by your income - you choice of car, a home in your local area, etc is not influence by your paycheck.

McCain noted quickly that his comment would be used as a sound bite. His answer indicated his wish for less taxation for all citizens! It's amazing that McCain's comment (actual figure) was clearly not meant to be serious, is taken out of context by the media to create a story. It is my opinion that for the past decade many biased media outlets try to drive (not report) public opinion by slanting coverage to fit their agenda. I believe that this power play is an attempt to show they have the means to affect government and it's policies-They are the true power! (or so they believe). What angers them most, is that for all their efforts to prop up Obama, he is even with McCain in tracking polls.
9/11 would have required any sitting president to make tough and unpopular decisions. What could we, as a country, have achieved if they (the media) had not spent the past eight years badgering and belittling our current president and his administration. What would world opinion be if they had spent as much effort treating our enemies as such, and not victims of our misplaced aggression. What actions would another event warrant : Action-find and strike down the offenders, or an Apology -So sorry, we brought this on ourselves. We need a commander in chief not a social worker.

The really discouraging part of the Globe's coverage is that it swallows this "tax the rich" issue as if it was fair. Why is it fair that the top 25% of taxpayers pay 85% of the taxes?

Our housekeeper was making an issue of this in an unpleasant way, so I explained to her that even though we had a lot of income by her standards, that in order to produce this income, our family had invested millions of dollars over several generations, paid confiscatory estate taxes, and because of the taxes on our income, the return on our assets was really sub-par. If Obama was elected and raised taxes further, we would just sell the underlying land for development and close down our business. This would free capital, permit us to get a higher return, and free us from running a business. Because our house is on the property, we would sell that too and move to a a smaller house, and she and 55 other employees would be out of jobs. She never mentioned it again.

So, Democrats, if you think low paid employees will benefit from taxing the rich -- they will with Government unemployment programs, which don't pay much. If you vote for Obama it will cause excessive taxation on the rich out of pure uncomprehending jealousy. This is like shutting down the engine room on a ship -- everything else depends on it. That is, unless you prefer welfare over a good paying job. If you feel the rich should be punished, vote for Obama, it is economic suicide.

This was the only question at the forum that McCain actually had to think about. He had no idea what rich meant in income. He thought about, said 5 million and then realized most Americans are no where near that level of poverty (compared to him), and then tried to play it off as a joke. I guess that was his way of saying "I'm really, really rich". Besides, in these very troubling economic times, why would he even joke about such a thing. It's a pattern, whenever he says something that shows his low IQ, he immediately tries to play it off as humor.

He has the money, all he wants now is the power. For those who think he shares your values, if your not in the 5 mil club, he does not intend to do squat for you.

Rich Hansen: you are an idiot. Only one candidate promised a middle class tax cut, and it wasn't the 100 millionaire. The rest of your comments show a disturbing ease of bigotry that you should seek help for.

America is on the verge of collapse. The republicans are so determined to keep power, they are cheerleading for a grumpy old man. I predict that if elected, McCain will be the first president to command a war on American soil in a century. America is no longer the world super power (thanks to dubya), yet we keep trying to act tough. Russia, China, N. Korea, Iran are all giving us the finger. John Wayne McCain thinks his tough talk will make them back down.

Just like we teach our kids to embrace conflict resolution, we need to talk with our adversaries. Basically, we did the same thing in Iraq that Russia did in Georgia (only worst).

Most nations no longer respect us or fear us. With Howdy Doowdy as president the past 8 years, we are now owned by China. Foreigners are buying our country like it's a Macy's white sale. We will be celebrating the 1929 Depression's 80th Anniversary with the 2009 Depression. Better make sure your kids take Chinese and Arabic foreign language classes, cause they will run all our businesses.

At this point McCain knows that anything he says will be evaluated.

As a president, this evaluation can have effects on the stock market and war a peace. At this level, life is not a joke because it affects all 300 million of us and the rest of the world.

Do you really want someone to be president that does not realize this?

McCain = Professional politician looking to keep the pill popping, closet homo, corporate lapdog republican party rip-off gravy train going.

What we really need is some honesty from the media. Taking McCain's comments out of context is typical.

Why not mention that Obama meets his own definition of rich and also excludes
100 million households?

Of course if you aren't honest why bother with the truth?

I'm sure Mr. McCain will be happy to know that by his definition I will have moved from the middle class to rich in ... 100years.
He has absolutely no sense of whats happening on the ground around him.

Good God man, you can make it from paycheck to paycheck? God Bless America then!!!

If you live paycheck to paycheck, that's a you problem.

I saw the forum on Saturday, and McCain's statement that $5million in income makes a person rich wasn't a joke -- he wasn't laughing, and the crowd didn't laugh. He was serious about it. His point was that he doesn't believe in progressive taxation -- that the wealthy should pay more in taxes than the poor.

He thinks someone struggling to get by at $30,000 per year should have the same tax burden as someone making $5 million. As McCain is worth more than $100 million, its not surprising he thinks it takes $5 million (per year, in new income) to be rich.

I make a decent salary, yet taxes take to much away! Less taxes please, then I can do very well on the money that I make. If we struggle from paycheck to paycheck maybe we are unrealistically acquiring material goods and services taht we don't need and cannot afford. I do not have new cars, new house, vacation home etc. yet, the taxes on the money I do make is killing me. Just less taxes, stop worrying about what others make.

John McCain is the great elitist in his $500 shoes and his private plane and his six houses. Obama grew in a single parent household which struggled to give him a great education. McCain was at the bottom of his Anapolis class becasue as an elitist, he did not cherish the education.

McCain will never know what is good for the non-rich. Hopefully, he will lose everything one day and try to make it on his own. Oh wait! He'll be six feet under before that happens.

Where's your sense of humor?

WOW awesome editing!!!! Could you have taken that any more out of context? Just YouTube the actual video of the night and look at how much you can change what someone says with a $500 editing program. Funny part is he predicted this video in the next sentience and still you made it. Free Time... Free Time

Why do you say "McCain's joke"? He was not joking. He may have tried to have it both ways by passing his real answer off as a joke so he can't be called on it - knowing as he does how outrageous it is - but it's no joke, as his tax policy clearly shows.

oh PLEASE. the top 10 percent of income earners pay 99 percent of the income taxes!!!! they get income tax breaks because they are the only people PAYING those taxes...

Deb, it's time for a reality check. If you think John McCain is the only politician, Republican or Democrat, who come from privilege, you should look again. If you think you're struggling financially now, just wait. If Obama gets elected (a big IF) you will see your take home pay become even less and the Democrats raise taxes along with spending in order to "take care of those less fortunate." That plan is what is really "out of touch."

Obama is really out of touch with the average American. Why should successful people be punished for their success. It is rich people who spend money, hire people and invest, thus helping our economy. Stealing money from the rich to give to someone else is Socialism.

There is ample opportunity for everyone in America to improve themselves and their situation. Anyone living paycheck to paycheck needs to create a budget

It doesn't matter how heroic John McPander was in Vietnam, what matters is that he plays for the wrong team, he's a conservative republican. The ones who got us into this horrible mess to begin with.

Obama is really out of touch with the average American. Why should successful people be punished for their success. It is rich people who spend money, hire people and invest, thus helping our economy. Stealing money from the rich to give to someone else is Socialism.

There is ample opportunity for everyone in America to improve themselves and their situation. Anyone living paycheck to paycheck needs to create a budget

Aside from the fact that John McCain was joking - which you'd know if you watched the debate instead of the video (and which the Boston Globe neglects to mention) precisely what is best for "you", and what does the "government" have to do with it? America was founded and built by people who relied on themselves. At some point many Americans decided the "government" was responsible for them. Most people in the world would happily trade places with even the poor of America. Try putting Phil Gramm's comments in that context.

Yes, and Obama said $50,000. At least McCain was a little more honest than Obama. If rich were $50,000 and I started getting taxed at "rich rates," I'd be screwed!

When McCain made this statement he said it would be misinter[reted. He only
said this as a joke.

If it takes $5,000,000 to get out of the middle class, then what class am I in with less than $1,000 per month? When my country called I stood up and served my country. I did not crash any airplanes nor did I let myself be caught.

The Republican tax cuts have all been designed for the wealthy. Reductions in capital gains tax, greatest income tax rate reductions to the highest brackets, while government-backed student loan rates are increased for example. When do Americans wake up? The middle class is under attack economically, and people still vote for GOP candidates.

It's amazing how a main stream news organization can print this kind of stuff. Anyone who watched the program can easily see that McCain was making a joke because he felt that the tax system should not favor one group over the other. HIs comment was made in a joking manner and was even followed up with stating that his comment would be taken out of context.

Every time this kind of stuff is printed it only serves to undermine the already shrinking trust people put in your newspaper.

I don't expect that you will publish this but I am going to write it any way. If the very people who anr the big employers are taxed to the oblivian, who is going to hire the middle class. Do not you under stand? Look what has happened in California, the State Government Raised the taxes to a point that most of the people who pay taxes have moved to other states along their business and their monies went with them. So now we have the largest unemplyment rate in 20 years. Yet the State polititicans still do not understand. raise taxes on the employers they leave to some where that taxes are lower people lose jobs The masses people who can not leave are stuck without jobs, broke without even the simple required things needed to live. If the employers are taxed with Rates beyond reason we will hear the great sucking sound that Ross Perrott was talking about in 1992. And all the polititicans will Blame NAFTA, after all most voters will not put actions and effect together and understand that the greed of an ever growing goverment is the true cause of most of American and United States problems. Less government equils less taxes and more freedom for everyone. But it also means more individual responsablity. Things that most do not want to hear about. Seams like the R-WORD in this American lifestyle is the worst kind of profanity ever spoken of in our time. Thank you

I will tell you how, by letting you keep your own money instead of giving it to a government that will just waste it.

I take exception to your comment about "daddy being a big shot in the military and then marrying a millionaire'

Being a big shot in the military means dedicating your life to the service of this country. You try living in a bamboo cage for 7 years for your freedom.

I would be willing to bet if you COULD HAVE married a millionaire you would have. John Kerry married money and his life sucks.

If you live paycheck to paycheck then you are living above your means. Go to school, get an education, and define your own future and don't tell me you cant. It will just take hard work. It took me 7 years to get my college degree.

Stop overspending and don't tell me you aren't. Start living at the standard of living that your income will support. If you cant make your rent or house payment live in a cheaper place, one that your can afford. Suffer for awhile.

If you want to live in a socialist society where the government gives you all that you have move to Cuba. See how you like it living in object poverty.

What a whiner.

Once again Foon Rhee demonstrates that journalism today is all about personal opinion and nothing about facts.

McCain noted quickly that his comment would be used as a sound bite. His answer indicated his wish for less taxation for all citizens! It's amazing that McCain's comment (actual figure) was clearly not meant to be serious, is taken out of context by the media to create a story. It is my opinion that for the past decade many biased media outlets try to drive (not report) public opinion by slanting coverage to fit their agenda. I believe that this power play is an attempt to show they have the means to affect government and it's policies-They are the true power! (or so they believe). What angers them most, is that for all their efforts to prop up Obama, he is even with McCain in tracking polls.
9/11 would have required any sitting president to make tough and unpopular decisions. What could we, as a country, have achieved if they (the media) had not spent the past eight years badgering and belittling our current president and his administration. What would world opinion be if they had spent as much effort treating our enemies as such, and not victims of our misplaced aggression. What actions would another event warrant : Action-find and strike down the offenders, or an Apology -So sorry, we brought this on ourselves. We need a commander in chief not a social worker.

Not only is McCain out of touch, he's not even "smart rich" - where he or his wife made big $$ by working hard or investing wisely. He came from good means, managed to ditch his 1st wife to marry Mrs. Moneybags Budwiser and she can't even manage to do anything with her money other than keep it all in Budwiser stock. Maverick my butt, the guy served honorably, but he's a poser whose grasp of basic economics is so poor he can't even manage to pander to the average joe.

This was the only question at the forum that McCain actually had to think about. He had no idea what rich meant in income. He thought about, said 5 million and then realized most Americans are no where near that level of poverty (compared to him), and then tried to play it off as a joke. I guess that was way of saying "I'm really, really rich". Besides, in these very troubling economic times, why would he even joke about such a thing. It's a pattern, whenever he says something that shows his low IQ, he immediately tries to play it off as humor.

He has the money, all he wants now is the power. For those who think he shares your values, if your not in the 5 mil club, he does not intend to do squat for you.

Thank you J Sepulveda!! You are right on!

At this point McCain knows that anything he says will be evaluated.

As a president, this evaluation can have effects on the stock market and war a peace. At this level, life is not a joke because it affects all 300 million of us and the rest of the world.

Do you really want someone to be president that does not realize this?

all you idiots that think people living paycheck to paycheck just need to budget need to learn something about the country you live in. You think everyone gets equal education??? Equal opportunity??? What about the kids that grow up surrounded by crime and drugs or even those that grow up with crap school systems--you're going to compare your life to theirs???
I'm sick of this "conservative" ignorance.
you people aren't conservative. you're greedy. and you're selfish.
guess what, you're trickle down Reagan economics doesn't work. Go ask the World Bank about that one. They've done numerous studies about how they've actually done nothing for poverty with their trickle down theories. So stop rationalizing your privilege and your greed.

You've all got to be kidding!

I'm sure you were all equally disturbed by John Kerry's excessive wealth, impressive marrying skills, as well as being equally impressed by his genuine and great concern for all those in America living paycheck to paycheck. But we all know John McCain is different. John Kerry is a democrat and he really cares. On top of that he is from Massachusetts, a good, liberal and caring state, where nobody lives in poverty.

Wake up! Obama, like John Kerry, wants you all to continue to live in poverty (less than $5 million per year). You move out of poverty, you move beyond paycheck to paycheck status, and you just might not vote democrat. Who do you really think wants to keep you down?