> In most parts of most developed countries you need at least a top 20% income just to live with dignity. In America, you really do not (I don't know about ot

> In most parts of most developed countries you need at least a top 20% income just to live with dignity. In America, you really do not (I don't know about other parts of the world). We have lots of really sweet towns and things where you can live on a totally average income. Just visited my cousin in the rural midwest (town of like 1000 people) and she and her husband live a great life, with their own plot of land, their eight kids, and a normal income (single income -- only husband works). And before I get the 'oh well that's only for white people' response, we're brown-skinned; she's an immigrant; and she's not only accepted but embraced and actually holds elected office. In my experience, the people making these kinds of claims have some innate bias against these places. But they're like a dime a dozen. We passed by dozens of similar towns on our four hour drive from the nearest airport.