What is "wealthy?" Most millionaires say they're not

Politicians, by and large, have no concept of the daily toils of trying to make ends meet. I suspect the majority of them never have. Silver spoons, Ivy League schools. That's probably the biggest reason why politicians are so out of touch with Americans.

Compared to a family of 10 in The Sudan? Yeah, we're all rich. Compared to a professional athlete in America, or musician, or actor, we're low income. Many of us in this profession are poverty.

I'd be willing to bet those 69 percent have never known what commodity peanut butter tastes like. I'd bet they've never felt what it's like to sleep on a picnic table or a park bench. I'd bet the majority of them have no idea what the underside of a car looks like.

I'd like to take all of their first-world problems and shove them up their collective ass.

 

There's a lot of truth in this. No matter how much you make or have, you'll always have the feeling you'd be more secure if you make more.
When you start at that $20K a year entry level job, you tell yourself things will be fine once you're making $30K.
You get to that level, and you realize you're still treading water and need a job that pays a little more.
You're making $100K? Same deal. You buy a nice house, decent car, a few nice things -- not even extravagant things, just nice things -- and sock a little away for retirement, and you think things will be better if you made $150K.
And so on up the ladder.
Seems like it's just human nature. It's part of what makes us strive for greatness. Even if you're better off than most, you're driven to achieve by thinking you're not.

 

Why should we compare ourselves to the professional athlete instead of the Sudanese family when determining our status?

 

I believe people should look at things in terms of absolute wealth. But most don't. Most look at relative wealth. Old joke that rich was defined as making more money then your wife's sister's husband.

 

For the record, I think that income inequality within the United States is a problem. Both philosophically and for growth. But I also urge perspective.

 

Income inequality is as big a problem as "overcrowded" classrooms.

 

"Comprehensive immigration reform"? Net positive, or net negative for income inequality?

 

Many reasons.

One, we're Americans. Two, America isn't a third-world country. Three, most of us have college degrees and are professionals.

I've never heard anyone aspire to live "The Sudanese Dream."

 

I'm so glad I don't let the amount of money I make define who I am as a person.

I like my job, have a roof over my head, some food in the fridge and can afford to go out every now and then. That's good enough for me.

 

Those sound like justifications for having wealth, not reasons to apply a certain standard.

 

Are you able to save some money?

 

Yep, I have a 401(k) and I can put some away every pay day. Not really any of your business and not sure why it matters but I can.