Press "Enter" to skip to content

A middle-class shrug?

A few weeks back (thanks to alert blog readers) we read about the notable “shrug” of “Mad Men” ad-man and restauranteur Jerry Della Femina. And surely Della Femina fits the typical profile of a Randian shrugger (i.e. he’s self-made and rich).

But what about the rest of the world? A lot of us here have already shrugged in various ways. We’ve left “respectable” jobs to move into the backwoods. Some have given up entirely on “official paperwork.” We’ve done our best to keep a low profile and make a low economic impact. But face it, when we dropped out most of us didn’t have all that far to drop. How many of us were of country club level? How many of us closed down or abandoned successful businesses to go our own way? How much of a difference to the world did our shrugs make?

Shrugging made a difference to those of us who did it, and that’s all that really matters. But nobody’s going to write about our economic disappearance in Forbes.

Our high-school counselors may have told us we had “potential,” but very likely they added in the same breath that we already weren’t “living up to it.” When I was 27, a mentor told me he wanted to see me become the highest-paid female executive in the San Francisco Bay Area. But I had read Atlas Shrugged eight years earlier. I had already realized, at 24 or 25, that I so detested dealing with government requirements that I’d never hire an employee and never build a business. By the time I was 30, I had moved (as one of my relentlessly overachieving acquaintances sniffed) from the California fast lane to a mosquito-infested swamp in the middle of nowhere. I was happily downwardly mobile thereafter.

Sure, a few of us went from white collar to whatever we are now. And some of us are still wearing those pearly business garments. I don’t presume to speak for all. But mostly, whether we shrugged or not, we were and are small potatoes.

There’s another shrugger, though, who’s not written up in Forbes but probably should be: the person from the upper middle class — particularly the successful entrepreneur or executive — who just isn’t willing to take it any more.

Granted, we hear about the “middle-class squeeze.” We hear about college-educated former white-collar hopefuls now flipping burgers because that’s all that’s available to them. We hear about the changing economics of specific professional groups. Doctors, for instance. Under the pressures of Obamacare they’re giving up their independent practices in droves to become salaried employees (and switching from Republican to Democrat in the process, unsurprisingly). Even lawyers, who ought to be doing well in this climate of overregulation, are having a hard time getting careers going.

These are all signs of the mess we’re in. No doubt about it. But none of those people are (yet!) conscious shruggers.

How many successful business people, I wonder, are just quietly saying, “Enough’s enough” and turning their back on the achievements for which they strove so mightly? Achievements that — however much pride they ought to invoke — have paled in a world where both mega-rich and poor — at the instigation and with the collusion of governments — leech off the productivity of poor Mr. or Ms Middle?

True, a single entrepreneur who closes a business, or decides not to grow the business any more, isn’t a much bigger potato than the rest of us. True, a single formerly prosperous person who no longer hires gardeners or caterers, buys as many cars, or no longer shops for as much stuff, doesn’t make a lot of difference in the world. But in the aggregate — as the middle-class goes, so goes the country. And clearly those upper-middle types who provide so many of the jobs have an outsized impact when they quit being victimized.

How many are starting to say, “No more”? Not because they’re forced to by the depression, but because the endless struggle against regulations, taxes, and ever-changing rules simply isn’t worth it to them any longer?

Are you seeing evidence of middle-class shrugging? I am. Early stages, but it’s most definitely happening.

(More on this, and an example of one such shrugger next time I blog, which I hope will be Friday. But I’m getting a bit behind on deadlines and preps for this weekend’s Mother Earth News Fair. So might be early next week.)

19 Comments

  1. Water Lily
    Water Lily June 2, 2011 12:55 pm

    I always wanted to be a writer, but I got sidetracked by the allure of money, prestige, and the “good life.” I had a career in international banking. It brought nothing but aggravation and pain. These days life is much different. If hubby was so inclined, he could grow his very small business into something much bigger. But we’re not interested in dealing with all the nonsense that comes along with it. Instead he works just enough to pay the bills, I write. We don’t care about pop culture, television, etc. Next year we’re going totally minimalist and moving into a travel trailer, hoping to travel around the country a bit before settling down somewhere out west. We’ve shrugged, though most would hardly know or understand.

  2. EN
    EN June 2, 2011 1:45 pm

    everywhere around me are men, usually in construction, have lost their jobs. They haven’t been able to find a new one, but have learned to live on less and suddenly discovered they don’t care to make the fight like they used to make. Lots of working under the table and such, taking them away from mainstream economy, further and further each day. They just don’t care or want to be involved any longer. The joke around here is “he works for the government”. We also call them “99 weekers”, which is the number of weeks they can collect unemployment. Many of these men have never collected it in their life and are not planning on going back to the regular economy when the deal’s done.

  3. Lisa K
    Lisa K June 2, 2011 2:07 pm

    My hubby had a pretty prosperous alternative medicine practice which we sold, tired of feeding the “monster” that a self-employed practice took. About 6 months later we started a part-time practice to discover that tiny monsters were not much better. Now we’re working toward simplifying, down-sizing and getting off-grid. It’s a struggle somedays towards getting away from the consumerism that’s driven us for so long, but so worth it.

  4. Andrew
    Andrew June 2, 2011 2:11 pm

    I’m a physician actively contemplating a personal “shrug”. The constraints on practice have gone from merely frustrating, to a significant hinderance, and now full-blown madness. There is no other way to say it; to continue like I am is mentally insane.

    Just about the only thing keeping me in line like a good citizen is dept: medical school is a horrid burden. I’ve already sold everything of value I own, rent a very cheap spare bedroom and throw all my excess at the debt, but at this rate it will still be at least 7 years before I’m free. I suppose I could just give the banks the finger and walk away from it all…but to avoid having my wages garnished I’d never be able to have a usual job or bank account ever again, which would be quite a leap of faith.

  5. Matt
    Matt June 2, 2011 2:12 pm

    The middle class has a hard time “shrugging” with the weight placed on their shoulders. Often there is a family that still needs to be raised, medical bills paid, senior parents to be cared for. More and more people are stretched because they are holding on to the jobs they have because they are personally taking care of extended family, freinds and neighbors. It isn’t always as easy as it seems. Often the shrugs are small and barely noticeable but eventually add up. It might be a little more barter, a little more under the table cash payments. Might be a permit for a new shed not sought, or failure to report windfall income. Hopefully it will be deciding it is none of the governments business what your neighbors do and not reporting them for doing things that are moral and normal.

    Locally the biggest shrugs I’ve seen from the middle class is the refusal to raise taxes on themselves, regardless of how “righteous” the cause is. Schools have to live within their means, local government has to make do, corporate charities are now asking politely etc.

  6. Beth
    Beth June 2, 2011 3:25 pm

    These are intriguing stories. Thank you all for posting them.

  7. Claire
    Claire June 2, 2011 7:09 pm

    I agree with Beth. Excellent (and sometimes sad) insights.

    I especially feel for doctors right now (and for all of us, once doctors have all been roped within the corporate-government structure).

  8. -s
    -s June 3, 2011 9:09 am

    “There is a war underway in this country. The working middle class that built this country from the ground up are being systematically eliminated by a small cabal of super rich powerful elite. The middle class was much like Josey Wales, a peaceful Missouri farmer just working his land trying to make an honest living. Then a band of lawless thugs come along and kill his wife and son and burn down his farmhouse. A man can only take so much before he gets mean and vengeful. The rich and powerful, the corrupt Wall Street bankers, the banker controlled Federal Reserve and the bought off politicians in Washington D.C. have been pillaging the middle class for decades.”

    Read the rest at http://www.theburningplatform.com/?p=15909

  9. Scott
    Scott June 3, 2011 12:04 pm

    I can think of several people I’ve worked with who’ve “shrugged” to various degrees-ranging from working under the table to moving into a intentional community(after a layoff). Me? I’m saving up to outright buy some property..

  10. Gerard Bendiks
    Gerard Bendiks June 3, 2011 8:43 pm

    A back surgeon once told me they were giving serious thought to going into cosmetic surgery. Why? Less hassles, less red tape, and they could probably feed their family the same doing “silly face tucks instead of true medicine.”

  11. 0Point
    0Point June 5, 2011 9:28 am

    Reducing income, going off-grid, and staying here in amerika may appeal to some folks, but another option is to do as our immigrant ancestors did. They left their homes behind and came here to escape persecution and find opportunity, now we’re dealing with a lot of the same types of shit here, it’s time to vote with our feet. I am highly motivated to completely disassociate myself from the evil that is the u.s. government by getting a different passport and renouncing my u.s. citizenship, but still be productive and earn a high income.
    There are lots of places around the world that are wonderful places to live, and that still respect productive people: Chile, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Panama, and the list goes on. Simon Black gives great info on a wide variety of places at http://www.sovereignman.com. And the “American Expatriation Guide” from Casey Research, available for download here (http://www.zerohedge.com/article/american-expatriation-guide) is a wealth of practical info and inspirational as well.

  12. CS (back after a long hiatus)
    CS (back after a long hiatus) June 5, 2011 7:48 pm

    I’m a family physician with over ten years in private practice. My wife, my family and I have sunk an astonishing amount of money and time into building our practice, only to see it all being washed away by the politics and practices of “health care reform.”

    We’re in the process of selling out to a local hospital. I’m done with watching my wife work nights and weekends doing the billing and dealing with appeals and denials, all the while trying to keep a small business running.

    The good news is that even while I practice as an employee, I will maintain my license and my contract explicitly allows for pro bono service… which I intend to continue.

    My “tribe” (if you will) will continue to receive my care, free of charge. While no money will change hands, I will promise this: No member of my family will ever lack for the necessities of life and no member of my tribe will lack for medical care, come-what-may to the general economy.

    There’s more than one way to shrug.

  13. Claire
    Claire June 6, 2011 8:19 am

    CS, I would like to say welcome back. But this is all so sad.

    Well, okay. Not all. Your uniquely medical concept of a shrug is wonderful, as is your thought for your tribe. It’s got to be a huge comfort for people facing corporatized/governmentized medicine to know that a few like you are out there. I hope it’s a comfort to you to know you can serve as an Outlaw doctor, as needed.

  14. CS
    CS June 7, 2011 8:35 am

    Thank you, Claire, but I’m just doing what I swore to do when I entered this profession.

    In the end, I think it was said best by Edmund Burke:

    For one, the worst event of this day, though it may deject, shall not break or subdue me. The call upon us is authoritative. Let who will shrink back. I shall be found at my post.

    (Via fellow cranky bastard, anarcho-capitalist, Outlaw, shrugger and philosopher Billy Beck.)

  15. Wolfe: A Middle-Class Shrug? | Western Rifle Shooters Association
    Wolfe: A Middle-Class Shrug? | Western Rifle Shooters Association June 7, 2011 9:10 pm

    […] Part I […]

  16. Anonymous Shrugger
    Anonymous Shrugger June 7, 2011 11:06 pm

    Three years ago I was averaging 100-120 hours of work per week. Every week.
    I was VERY well paid, but got NOTHING for OT – my ONLY reason for working so hard was loyalty to my clients and habit – the stereotypical “protestant work ethic.”
    I nearly worked myself to death – literally. I postponed needed major surgery for years – a few months at a time – at employer’s request.
    Finally I saw a schedule opening and booked the surgery months in the future, at a time when major projects were to be finished.
    11 days later I was “laid off” — so much for loyalty, huh?
    A minor miracle, a Doc who cared enough to move mountains and do my surgery with 3 days’ notice – unfortunately I came out worse than before.
    A second try later was no help.
    I’ve been forced to draw disability-insurance (private) since. They eventually forced me to apply for SSDI, which they keep to reimburse them for payments to me.
    I’ve now drawn exactly 1/2 my usual salary for several years — long enough to realize that I was killing myself for NOTHING!
    Half my previous salary was consumed by excess taxes and the expenses of such insane work-hours.
    I’ve withdrawn from “the economy” in every way possible – even making my own cigarettes (which are MUCH higher quality, BTW) to avoid feeding the beast with those taxes. I’m still seeking a way to stamp the gold “$” on the filter…
    I will never buy another new car, even clothes are bought second-hand wherever possible.
    I have shrugged – and strongly encourage others to do the same.
    Have your accountant run the numbers and see what would happen if you cut YOUR salary in half — I bet you too are working yourself to death for the benefit of a .gov you despise.
    IT’S TIME TO STOP!
    Never again!

  17. btc
    btc June 8, 2011 5:19 am

    I’d love to meet one of these drs that would accept payment in bitcoin.

    Instead of dropping out, consider a different economy…

  18. etc. by Oliver Del Signore » Blog Archive » Is he really this clueless or is he advancing an agenda?
    etc. by Oliver Del Signore » Blog Archive » Is he really this clueless or is he advancing an agenda? June 9, 2011 9:15 am

    […] Wolfe has been blogging recently about a few ‘producers” shrugging (here and here). If the left manages to grant amnesty to millions of criminals, get ready for a whole lot […]

Leave a Reply