The upper middle class now has to do without – because they can

Now we have already reached 60,000 euros. We are talking about the income target group that is eligible for the next – meanwhile third – relief package from the federal government. The traffic light coalition is still pondering who will benefit from the next state aid.

Because the burdens that await German consumers as a result of the impending gas and electricity price increases are becoming increasingly dramatic. Magnitudes that hurt even the upper middle class.

And so many high earners in this country are now asking themselves: What is the state actually doing for me during the energy crisis? What does he do for those who still bring him such high tax revenues - who are the backbone of this society?

I also caught myself thinking about how the federal government would reimburse me at least part of my additional energy costs. But would it be right in the future for households with an annual income of more than 60,000 or 80,000 euros to be supported by the state?

no For me and millions of others from the upper middle class, there must be no piece of the government relief cake. People like me have the opportunity to cushion the high costs by making some sacrifices.

By that I mean those who have a household income of more than 80,000 euros. Different analysts are circulating as to how exactly the upper middle class defines itself. What is certain, however, is that around 20 to 30 percent of German households are above the 80,000 euro mark.

These many millions of German citizens should give up for those who can no longer do without. While I and many others need only slightly deviate from our high standard of living, there are millions of people and families in this country who do not know how to meet thousands of euros in additional energy costs.

For example, I can understand my mother when she says that it is difficult for her to raise an additional 300 euros a month without government help. I, on the other hand, will probably only have to do without the upcoming family holiday in Crete in autumn in order to raise the extra money for heating and electricity. A justifiable sacrifice for my family and I, I think.

Sure, of course. It's not all nice. The high inflation also hurts the high earners. In view of the looming recession, he too will not receive any lavish wage increases. But the impending energy crisis is becoming so expensive that the country is threatened with a historic social ordeal. It would be an important sign if “those up there” clearly forego state aid in favor of “those down there”.

The federal government must not allow itself to be carried away by relieving as many citizens as possible of energy costs. First of all, even rich Germany cannot afford so many charities. Secondly, those who are doing really well should not ask for this support in the first place.

But I would like to make one thing clear: the top performers in our society are not responsible for taking the rap for political mismanagement. The energy crisis is an exception. It's only partly homemade.

This current appeal to the upper middle class is not a blank check for those in power. The fight against cold progression, for example, must continue unabated. The message is: In this case, we do without. But we will not allow ourselves to be fleeced in the future either and endure any arbitrary tax increase plan.

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