The Sad Demise of the American Middle Class

Steven H. Propp

Description

In a book that could be taken from today’s headlines, a family faces financial devastation, in the midst of societal turmoil and uncertainty.
Mark and Rosalyn Reese, and their 17-year-old son Jacob, are solid Middle-Class citizens living in northern California: with seemingly secure jobs, they have two cars, and are buying a house, as well as setting money aside for Jacob’s upcoming college education.
But when Rosalyn unexpectedly loses her job, she is unable to find another with a comparable salary. Suddenly, the financial world of the Reeses seemingly collapses, and they must struggle desperately simply to find affordable housing.
And then, in early 2020: the Coronavirus (COVID-19) hits the country, causing a mass ‘Shutdown’ of businesses, government offices, and schools. Without warning, U.S. citizens must now cope with unemployment, working from home, and ‘distance learning,’ as well as with safety protocols such as wearing protective masks, practicing ‘social distancing,’ and avoiding crowds. The whole country seems to be in turmoil, and mass protests against social injustice only add to the unrest.
A uniquely contentious 2020 national election creates even further divisions among the people, sharply dividing citizens into ‘Blue State’ or ‘Red State’ alliances, ‘pro-vaxx’ and ‘anti-vaxx’ factions, as well as controversies over the growing economic inequality in the country.
As real as the events of today’s headlines, the Reeses struggle to maintain their dignity and familial love in an increasingly uncertain world, which has a frequently harrowing future outlook. In this heartfelt and stimulating book, you can join them in their search for hope, security, and support, in a political and social environment that seems to work against them and their entire ‘social class’ at every turn.

Sujets

• Social Science
• Sociologie, société et politique
• Middle Class
• Foreclosure
• Eviction
• Rebellion
• Unemployment
• January 6
• Vaccination
• Insurrection
• Coronavirus
• Inflation

Informations

• Publié par: iUniverse
• Date de parution: 03 janvier 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781663249029
• Langue: English

Extrait

THE SAD DEMISE OF THE AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS

A Novel




Steven H. Propp








THE SAD DEMISE OF THE AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS
A NOVEL

Copyright © 2023 Steven H. Propp.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.






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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6632-4901-2 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6632-4902-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022922970



iUniverse rev. date: 12/13/2022



TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Prologue: The Good Old Days
PART ONE: HARD TIMES
Chapter 1: Cutting Back
Chapter 2: The Death Of The ‘American Dream’
Chapter 3: A Very Minimal Christmas
Chapter 4: Change Of Plans
PART TWO: THE VIRUS
Chapter 5: COVID
Chapter 6: Seeking Sanctuary
Chapter 7: On The Move
Chapter 8: Life On The Streets
Chapter 9: Home Sweet Home
Chapter 10: Disappointment, And Outrage
Chapter 11: Life Sucks
Chapter 12: Getting Used To It
PART THREE: THE ELECTION
Chapter 13: Get Rid Of This Guy
Chapter 14: A Not-So-Merry Christmas
Chapter 15: The Insurrection
Chapter 16: An End, And A Beginning
PART FOUR: CHANGING TIMES
Chapter 17: I Need Some Positivity
Chapter 18: Progress, Amid Regress
Chapter 19: Workers Of The World, Stay Home?
Chapter 20: A New Job
Chapter 21: Things Will Be (Great?)—When You’re Downtown
Chapter 22: War, And Peace
Chapter 23: Theme And Variants
PART FIVE: THE CHALLENGES
Chapter 24: Trying To Reopen
Chapter 25: Starting To Panic
Chapter 26: Everything’s Going Up
Chapter 27: Stimulus? What Stimulus?
Chapter 28: A World Gone Crazy
Chapter 29: Getting Extreme
Chapter 30: Work, And Shelter
Chapter 31: Pre-Election Jitters
Chapter 32: Facing The Future



DEDICATION
To all of us who are struggling financially, professionally, politically, socially, and personally in these difficult times… yet who also refuse to give in to defeat, discouragement, and despair.
America is a very diverse country; but if we try to maintain our civility with each other, and our respect for each other’s choices and actions (even if we may sometimes disagree with them), we can keep ourselves, and our country, together.
And we will be the stronger, and the better for it.



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book is written with deep love for the help, encouragement, and support of:
Our wonderful grandkids: Devonte and Adrianna, Joseph, Dominic, Mariah, Kayla, and Brea;
Our amazing great-granddaughter: Jasenya;
The parents and “role models”: Keri, Joe, Danielle, Rasheed, and Michael;
My brother-in-law Darrel Buzynski, and my wonderful big sister Susan;
My niece Jennifer and her husband Brade, and their delightful daughters, Madison and Leila;
My “favorite” nephew Jason;
My wonderful sister-in-law Phyllis, and all the rest of our diverse, changing, and always loving family;
My readers and other friends everywhere;
But most of all: to my beautiful, wonderful wife Nancy: whose unconditional love helps not only me, but ALL of us to make it through any and all of the many challenges that life presents.



PROLOGUE
THE GOOD OLD DAYS
(Evening, June 2019)
Mark Reese and his wife Rosalyn (who were both in their late 30s) stood nervously on the porch of the beautiful (and spacious) suburban house.
“Well, here goes nothing,” Mark said quietly, adjusting his glasses and checking his tie, before he pressed the doorbell. A lovely melodic chime rang softly, as they waited.
The door opened, and they were faced with a smiling man in his mid-40s, whose well-groomed and thick hair was completely free of any trace of gray. The man said enthusiastically, “Mark, Rosalyn—so glad you could make it! Please, come in,” and he stood aside, motioning for them to enter. He said apologetically, “I just wish I’d realized sooner that you two lived so close! I should have had you over long before this.”
Once they were inside the house, both Mark and Rosalyn looked around, and Rosalyn said appreciatively, “Your house is beautiful, Kenton!”
He shrugged off the compliment, then said (with exaggerated modesty), “Sharilyn wants us to re-do this area again; she always tells me, ‘Ken, the foyer is the first impression you make on anyone who is visiting! So it needs to be perfect …!’”
He motioned for the visiting couple to follow him down the entry hall, until they reached a large room, which was filled with perhaps two dozen couples (and a few seemingly unattached men), who were all wearing formal attire, and happily chatting and laughing, while sipping their glasses of wine.
Pointing to a long table, Kenton explained to the Reeses, “The hors d’oeuvres were prepared by that new catering service on L Street; we’ve started hiring them for all of our entertainments, and they do a fabulous job.” Pointing to a number of bottles of expensive-looking wine at the end of the table, he said, “We’ve got an excellent Sauvignon Blanc, as well as a robust Pinot Noir; what’s your preference?”
“Umm…” Mark hesitated. “I’m … partial to white wine; so…?”
“Sauvignon it is,” Kenton said. He efficiently poured a glass and handed it to Mark, and then looked questioningly at Rosalyn, who smiled and said, “The same for me; thanks.” Their host poured a glass for her, which she accepted graciously. After taking a small sip, she observed, “That’s very good.”
Kenton grimaced slightly, and replied with some dissatisfaction, “That’s very kind of you, Rosalyn, but I really need to develop a truly comprehensive wine cellar, so that I’ve always got the perfect wine on hand for every possible occasion. We’ve got a large wine rack in the basement downstairs for just that purpose, but I’m afraid it’s only about one-third full, because I simply haven’t had the time to stock it properly! I really need to just hire a professional to establish it for us.” He looked at his two guests, and asked, “Do you know anyone?”
Embarrassed, Mark replied, “I’m afraid not.” Rosalyn shook her head negatively, and Kenton nodded (looking somewhat disappointed).
Mark took a small sip of his wine, then asked Kenton, “So I guess you’re keeping pretty busy?”
Kenton smiled, and said expansively, “That’s one absolutely certain characteristic of being a Risk Management consultant today: you’re always needed! There’s so much uncertainty these days about the economy and the political environment, as well as their intersection in the global marketplace, that no responsible organization or business—private, public, or combined—can afford to do without the kind of advice and direction that I provide them.”
Rosalyn asked him hesitantly, “I think Mark told me that you used to be an executive for a hedge fund, or something like that?”
Kenton nodded, and explained, “Yes, I used to be in Finance, after picking up my MBA from Stanford Grad; but I could clearly see the trends developing, so in 2007, I started my own consulting business.” With a slight smile, he added, “I needn’t tell you that quite a few of my peers in the financial world thought I was being reckless, at best!” Then he smiled proudly (and perhaps a bit cockily), and continued, “But after the recessionary collapse in 2007-2008, I was suddenly viewed by most knowledgeable people in the field as virtually being a ‘prophet’—so I’ve had a huge client list, ever since.”
Mark nodded, and admitted, “You’ve definitely got an excellent reputation; the senior execs in my own department were ecstatic when they were able to persuade you to take us on as one of your local clients.”
Kenton smiled, and said modestly, “Most of my clients are in the private sector, of course. But some of the most perceptive State departments here in California—such as yours—are now realizing that they need to anticipate future developments, rather than just reacting to these constantly changing conditions.”
Looking directly into Mark’s eyes, he explained, “Take your department: external situations across the nation certainly have an impact on the triggering events that produce the kinds of claims you process; so the key is clearly being able to project and anticipate what’s inevitably coming in the near future, so that you aren’t blindsided by…” but he stopped short, as his wife Sharilyn (a lovely woman in her early 30s, with carefully-styled hair, and tasteful—but expensive—jewelry, and an impressive manicure) came forward and touched his arm lightly, then whispered to him, “Rod’s had a couple of glasses of wine, so I think he’s ready to talk some business, now.”
“Beautiful; thanks, Shar,” he replied. He said apologetically to his two guests, “I’m so sorry, Mark and Rosalyn: but duty calls! I feel terrible about running out like this on our neighbors; but please, help yourself to anyth