Is the American middle class fighting for its life? Is there truly a "middle class squeeze"? If such books as Lou Dobbs's The War on the Middle Class are any indication, the American middle class is hanging on by a thread. But is this story accurate? Do available data support the claims about the decline of the middle class being made by the news media, politicians, and pundits? What can polling data tell us about public perceptions of income inequality and the state of the middle class?

Stephen J. Rose will present his recent findings regarding the American middle class; Jodie T. Allen will discuss key poll data concerning public attitudes toward and perceptions of the American middle class and the problems it currently faces; and Richard Burkhauser will discuss the technical merits and drawbacks of Rose's findings, as well as problems associated with available data and income measurement. Speakers will also address the potential political implications of these data. AEI's Douglas J. Besharov will moderate.