<DIV>Former U.S. congressman Steve Gunderson grew up in a tightly knit middle-class family in a community where people cherished values, civic duty, and the American Dream. But these communities all across America have moved from an age of progress to an era of survival as they seek to navigate new economic challenges. Today, many fear the disappearance of the middle class, and wonder whether they will provide a better life for their kids and grandkids.<BR><BR>In <I>The New Middle Class</I>, Gunderson explores the factors that caused the decline of America’s economic center and how we can build a middle class that is equipped for the realities of a twenty-first-century global economy. If we believe that a viable middle class is a critical part of a market-based democracy, this mission is of critical importance.<BR><BR>Gunderson’s blueprint begins with a public and private sector commitment to substantial economic growth and investment in education. Calling for a new Middle Class Compact, he argues that the best core values of both political parties can enable Americans of all backgrounds to achieve real jobs and decent incomes. Higher incomes in turn lead to financial security—the true definition of wealth and the hallmark of a strong middle class.<BR><BR>The challenge before this deeply divided nation is a big one, but <I>The New Middle Class</I> maps out the road ahead with abundant insight and optimism. There is no doubt that we can extend to future generations the opportunities, values, and benefits of the American Dream.<BR><BR><BR></div>