Reply #12: This definition is actually what I've come around to

[socialist_n_TN]

over the last few years. It's not strictly Marxist I know, but it seems to fit today's social milieu.

I've always considered myself working class both by background and by employment. Even when I was self employed as a working musician, I was still trading my skills for money DIRECTLY. The same applies lately when I've been working as a contractor.

The only argument I could see from some with this designation of "working class", is the long term unemployed and poor/disabled and retired/disabled, etc. IMO, the long term unemployed would still be part of the working class, just not working. The other group probably SHOULD be considered part of the working class SOCIALLY too because, in most cases, they came OUT of the working class. The small percentage of retired/disabled that make money from investments would still be capitalist class.

But then as I say, my view of working class is different than a lot of folks.