>>> I've always that that teachers are way underpaid.
>>
>>Agreed.
>>Not everywhere, but in most counties, they are.
>>So are shelf stockers and checkout clerks in super markets, hamburger flippers, truck drivers, engineers, bookkeepers - and yes- some programmers.
>>I know some MD's and CPA's who can't meet mortgage payments.
>>When I started working (we wore suits, ties and hats in those days) I easily supported my stay-at-home wife and children on my salary and could put away enough to fund a comfortable retirement.
>>So, what is going on?
>
>Neoliberalism and neoconservatism found a common language of redistribution upwards. Since mid-seventies.

When it started that was true -- but now its only the conservatives / GOP that still opt for 'trickle down economics' despite it's proven track record of failure - the other side has figured it out. What is annoying and disturbing is to hear people complain about this problem then go out and vote for someone like Trump. Perhaps this is a sign of the poor state of our education system.