[DomusAlbion]

I ran the numbers and we are in the 93rd percentile. We've been very blessed on the income side and that's with me retired. We have nearly no debt; just a small part of the mortgage still due but that will be paid off by the end of 2013, then it's all cream

But a good income is the least important factor when it comes to a sense of a fulfilled and happy life. Having a good/secure place to live, having family near (and functional), having good health, having friends and enjoyment all come before a good income. Having money merely removes one worry but is not fulfilling in itself. Using those measurements I'm afraid my wife and I are in the lower quartile.

[SeaGypsy]

Riches are defined personally in proper context. Having a bazzillion in the bank but waking up frantic at 4.00 am to fall into bed exhausted at 1.30 am, at the continuous beck and call of every instrument of comtech in existence, 360 days a year/ looks like damned hard work.

When I say 'all you guys are in the top 3%' I mean it like this:

GDP divided by population puts the entire USA in the top 6% of the world.

Even the fact of food stamps and soup kitchens, emergency medical etc. puts the USA solidly in the top 10% with the top 3% taken off.

Everyone on this site is literate and capable of getting work paid at at least minimum wage in the USA, or equivalent. Again this wage, as pathetic as it is, is in the top 3% worldwide.

For me it boils down to having to reconsider any plans which are based on BAU. Having to have contingency plans and back up, reserves in place, means to maintain life post BAU.

Under this view my wealth is in my ability to move and adapt to ever changing and unpredictable circumstances. Then my creative input in my work, that I get to orchestrate some aspects of, that I get enough to choose to live about anywhere and move from project to project from country to country. Then being able to keep my family together most of the time.

I know a lot and have known a lot of people in the 1% as categorized in the OP, I doubt they have a higher ratio of happiness than say folks down the lower southern states of the USA on $5kppa a year.

[Cid_Yama]

It isn't income or even wealth. It's the ability to access resources at a moment's notice on a whim.

Money does not exist. Only for the working class.

It's seeing something you want and having it immediately. It's being at a party and everyone is flying off to somebody's chateau on the French Riviera to continue the party there tomorrow, and calling to have your plane fueled.

It's a world where everything is yours on demand. Everyday. 24/7.

The only exception being when you are competing with someone else who also wants it and there is only one.

For most of those there, if that description is not you, you do not exist except as a Gestalt background. Just the person that brings you what you want. Not even recognized really as a person. More like an appliance.

Mitt Romney gave 100 million to each of his kids. That's about the buy in price.
With that, money self-replicates and never runs out.

There are those, like myself, who see people as people, but not many.

The line is, there have always been peasants, there always will be. Or there have always been poor, there always will be.

In a sense, this is true. There are not enough resources to have it any other way.

Even if you dragged everyone down to the same level, it would not elevate the masses except marginally.

That is because it is a matter of resources not wealth. Resources are a closed system. There is only so much.

[SeaGypsy]

Good description. Worked out a percentage on that?

[Loki]

I'm a believer in voluntary simplicity, don't care much for financial chest beating contests. Suffice it to say, I know exactly where my pitchfork is (literally and figuratively).

SeaGypsy, why are you so focused on the US "standard of living"? I've been to Australia a couple of times, folks there seemed to be living pretty high on the hog. Seems like we all could use some voluntary simplification.

[Cid_Yama]

Question is, is there enough resources to provide everyone with a roof over there head, clothes on their back, and food to eat?

Recent research seems to indicate no.

In the 1960's and 70's that might have been true. But the population has doubled since then.

So now, there is NOT enough to go around. Even if you dragged everyone down to the same level. And like I said above, dragging those half million wealthiest down to the level of everyone else would not increase the level of resources noticably.

But emotionally I can not accept that. So I continue to fight for a fairness that may no longer be possible.

Perhaps what CAN be achieved is political equity.

Perhaps we can face the end together in concert, with dignity.

Who am I kidding but myself? The end will be brutal, violent, and unfair.

[SeaGypsy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Loki', 'I')'m a believer in voluntary simplicity, don't care much for financial chest beating contests. Suffice it to say, I know exactly where my pitchfork is (literally and figuratively).

SeaGypsy, why are you so focused on the US "standard of living"? I've been to Australia a couple of times, folks there seemed to be living pretty high on the hog. Seems like we all could use some voluntary simplification.

[Loki]

I agree SeaGypsy, the world needs to be more like me

Seriously, though, I have no doubt I have it better than most humans, despite living in a tiny trailer and doing low-wage physical labor, breaking my back to grow rich people's "baby arugula" (per Pops). I have clean water, an abundance of good organic food, a mostly waterproof roof over my head, lots of stuff to distract me. Health insurance would be nice, though (ya see, we Americans are never satisfied).

As for Aussies, I've always felt an affinity for you guys. Expunged for poor taste.

[SeaGypsy]

That's the main point of contention between our relative systems. I have never heard an Australian of any origin (my current industry/ University tutors/ teachers/ lecturers and professors have 15% American origin in my area) complain about our health system seriously suggesting we should go down the US' road. I was just talking with a new hire recent American migrant colleague who said a major reason for coming here was the automatic health plan, besides a base rate casual of $35 an hour.
PS. I have no claim on the women here, consenting adults and all that

[AgentR11]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Cid_Yama', 'Q')uestion is, are there enough resources to provide everyone with a roof over their head, clothes on their back, and food to eat?
Recent research seems to indicate no.

[FairMaiden]

This is American right?

We came up as 74% and I DEFINITELY am not there!

But it might be where I live, you can't buy a bed bug ridden house for less than $500K here...we are thinking of moving to a more pro-agro and cheaper area. I'm going to have switch jobs but it'll be worth it. Be interesting to see if I can figure out how to grow food bc my potted garden does not produce anything of value...well, that's not true bc my herb gardens rock

[PrestonSturges]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('rangerone314', 'T')op 17%... but taking into account net child support (wife gets less than I pay out) and daycare for a toddler... pushes that down to top 24%. (2nd income wouldn't exist but for daycare and child support cannot be opted out of at this point)

[ItalyRules]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('AgentR11', 'F')airness is overrated.
Loyalty, Honor, Strength, Love. Be true to those and boldly meet whatever end without regret.

[AgentR11]

Just because evil people lean upon good words, does not make the words evil.
It is all in the actions one chooses to take in response to those words that determines the ethics of the person.

[AgentR11]

Besides, this:
", lived for oneself, but not, above all, for others"

Is the absolute antithesis of what I wrote. It is utterly incompatible.
Loyalty, honor, love, are all about what one should do for others.

[Pretorian]

If you can't type here without unnecessary vulgarity go somewhere else.

[AgentR11]

Discussions on the meaning of Honor amongst Westerners sure does bring out the discomfort, eh! lol.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pretorian', 'O')h really? And who gets to decide what are those things?

[Pretorian]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('AgentR11', '
')
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'm')ost honorable thing is to kill their daughters if they turned out to be sluts

[AgentR11]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pretorian', 'W')ell, according to Bible and Koran , God demands death penalty for any unauthorized fornication. Both books are very popular in the crowds for some reason.

[Hawkcreek]

I'm in the upper 10 percent, but since I live in a shipping container, and don't have a wife or any utility bills or such, I can live almost like a one-percenter if I want to. I spend half of my time travelling and living in hotels. Enjoying the hell out of it.