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Looking at Ford's history, it is easy to see why Iacocca claimed that Ford was largely responsible for creating the American middle class. (Iacocca, p. 2). It is unquestionable that Ford ushered in a reasonable wage for a reasonable work-week. He not only doubled the wages for his workers, but greatly exceeded the wages offered for similar work by competitors. In addition, by giving his workers adequate time-off and a shorter work week, Ford helped usher in current American notions of leisure time. On the production side of things, by resisting pressure to develop an automobile for the upper-class, Ford helped create the current standard of living for the American middle class. It was because of Ford that automobile ownership became a standard for middle-class Americans.

Unfortunately, Ford was also responsible for other elements linked to the idea of the middle class in America. For example, many middle-Americans continue...
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