I don’t think I’ve seen a more powerful graphic of just how much change has happened with the middle class in America than this report from the Pew Research Center and Financial Times. It also dramatically shows the income divide in this country.

It also told of another report that speaks volumes for consumer power potential in the near future. “Projections from the McKinsey Global Institute suggest that between 2015 and 2030, no less than half of consumer spending growth will be driven by people aged 60 and above.” Because “the 65 and over demographic is the only group that has seen an increase in its job participation rate since the start of the decade.”

Tremendous shifts like this explains the great deal of pressure that will be placed on our policy makers and our business leaders