Talk Back: What Defines Middle Class Income?

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney sparked a media firestorm last week during an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" last Friday morning.

ABC's George Stephanopoulos was discussing the middle class, which has been a central part to President Barack Obama's campaign message, with Romney during an interview, according to The Huffington Post.

"No one can say my plan is going to raise taxes on middle-income people, because principle number one is (to) keep the burden down on middle-income taxpayers," Romney said to Stephanopoulos.

Stephanopoulos followed up by asking "Is $100,000 middle income?"

"No, middle income is $200,000 to $250,000 and less," Romney said. His campaign later clarified throught the news media that Romney was referencing a total household income, not a single person's individual income.

Many complained that Romney's quote was simply taken out of context while others said it was evidence of the candidate being out of touch with the current state of American households and what the middle class truly is.

For reference, the U.S. Census Bureau states the median, or most common, household income in the United States was $51,914 between 2006 and 2010 and that almost 14 percent of Americans live under the poverty line.

What income range defines the "middle class" of the United States? What did you think of Romney's comments on television?

Let us know in the comments!