Up To Date

Why Middle-Class America's Crisis Has Only Gotten Worse

By Steve Kraske,

Luke X. Martin

Published June 23, 2020 at 2:43 PM CDT

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An American flag on a flagpole waves in a gentle breeze in front of a white sky. — When reporters Donald Barlett and James Steele came out with their seminal book "America: What Went Wrong?" in 1992, then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton waved it around on the campaign trail and proclaimed that he was strongly influenced by it.

The 1992 bestseller "America: What Went Wrong?" documented how tax policy hammers the middle class, how the rich grow more rich and the erosion of the health care and retirement systems. So how have things changed since?

A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist shares updates on his 1992 bestseller about the undermining of the American dream.

James Steele, investigative reporter and co-author of "America: What Went Wrong? The Crisis Deepens"

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Luke X. Martin

As culture editor, I help you embrace what makes Kansas City fun and vibrant, whether it’s a championship sports franchise or a little-known wonder. I work with reporters to ensure KCUR stories on art, culture, and race fully reflect our diverse home so readers and listeners can take full advantage of what the metro has to offer. Email me at luke@kcur.org.

See stories by Luke X. Martin