Poverty

If half the population is considered "near poor" then I think people are being way too greedy and materialistic. If everyone thinks they need three SUVs and a five bedroom McMansion and new phone every year, then we'll be ruining the planet a lot faster than we had ever though we would.

Can't someone whose income is near the median be satisfied with what they have? My income is less than 199% of the poverty level, but I eat pretty well, I sleep in a heated home under a roof that doesn't leak, I take a hot shower every day, and I at least have a halfway decent health insurance policy. If I had more money, I don't see how my life would be better. I suppose I might be able to afford cable TV, but that might actually make my life worse, not better!