That's pretty interesting. The trend is prominite everywhere in America, and I think the politicians that we put in office and the American people themselves are both guilty. More and more technology, more and more toys, the more we need more when essentially we're missing the basics. Health care and expendible wages, along with college costs that seemingly will forever skyrocket all take a hit on our pocket.

Spending trillions of dollars on war to flex our muscles and "remain" a superpower I think is also rather ridiculous. Yeah, 9/11 happened, probably could have been prevented, etc. but looking in everyones dirty laundry isn't going to solve everything. Prevention starts on our turf, and not theirs. It'd be nice to see an administration that realizes that, even though we're a blessed nation with deep pockets, we cannot, should not and hopefully will not continue to try and do everything for everybody.

The middle/working class I think can be grouped into the same group. I hate to sound like a prick, but the dirt poor really don't have to worry too much given the generous amount of programs out there from welfare, to food stamps, to FASFA even (on a lesser extent). All the doors are open.

I agree with whoever said middle class is carrying society. The rich always have and always will have (in my opinion) a clear advantage over everyone else, and it's not entirely from a monetary standpoint.

I think we'll be stuck with this problem for another 10-20 years. The only light possibly to be shined on this issue is with a new administration and with different members of congress who have lived through this era and see a problem, and attempt to address it.

But then again most politicians come from a wealthy background, and here we go again back at phase one, which is why I hate politics.