The Economist recently defined middle class as the point where people have roughly a third of their income left for discretionary spending after paying for basic food and shelter.

FORBES: The Middle Class, Energy And Terrorism

So ... if we get to the point where there is a conviction and sentencing, the judge would have the discretion at that point to give multiple consecutive sentences, and the limits on the judge at that point are one-third of the middle term, which would be an additional two years.

CNN: D.A., sheriff discuss Jackson allegations

Diana Farrell, who is now a member of America's National Economic Council but until recently worked for McKinsey, a consultancy that has spent a lot of time studying the middle classes, reckons they begin at roughly the point where people have a third of their income left for discretionary spending after providing for basic food and shelter.

ECONOMIST: Burgeoning bourgeoisie | The