That is the question.  At one time the high standards of the American lifestyle were the envy of the world.  That day is gone with the wind.

The 30 nation survey of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2008 placed the poverty rate of the U.S.A. only above Mexico and Turkey.  The economic gap between rich and poor in the U.S.A. was explained in this report in the Seattle Times December 15, 2008:

"In the United States, the richest 10 percent earn an average of $93,000 -- the highest level in this 30 nation survey.  The poorest 10 percent earn an average of $5,800 -- about 20 percent lower than the average of the 30 nation survey."

The top executives throughout the world all earn much less than the top executives in business than is the case with top U.S.A. executives.