It is certainly true that Americans are blessed with unparalleled opportunities and resources. Affluence is not a problematic quality, per se, indeed, correctly understood, it should be encouraged when absent and applauded when achieved. But I've long held that a concomitant risk of the exceptional prosperity we enjoy in America is the easy temptation to tune ourselves out to problems in the world simply because we can afford, or choose, not to listen. I think most notably of the very real threat of Islamic terror.
Regardless, here's a fascinating study by Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation: "How Poor are America's Poor?" We often hear about the plight of the "poor" in America, but such is the state of our prosperity that even the "poor" here have it pretty darn good: hearty diets, multiple color television sets, cars, microwaves, cell phones, etc.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Welfare/bg2064.cfm
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