Comment Re:WHAAAAAA! (Score 0) 1143
Keep in mind that the "poverty" level is essentialy an arbitrary level of income, set up by officials within a particular government. Comparing this value between courntries or even within a single country over time requires normalization for accurate comparison (Country X may have the level set at $20k/yr, while Country Y may have it set at $5k/yr for example).
It is accurate to say "among the highest living standards in the world" and not "the highest." 1st place in that contest, I believe, resides with the U.S... but since standard of living is such a subjective measurement, it again is futile to make direct and generalized comparisions. The only thing we can say is the ave citizen in the U.S. has more total wealth (including property) than the average citizen of any other major country. Note: this says nothing for how happy, content, etc... the lives of those wealthy people actualy are)
It is accurate to say "among the highest living standards in the world" and not "the highest." 1st place in that contest, I believe, resides with the U.S... but since standard of living is such a subjective measurement, it again is futile to make direct and generalized comparisions. The only thing we can say is the ave citizen in the U.S. has more total wealth (including property) than the average citizen of any other major country. Note: this says nothing for how happy, content, etc... the lives of those wealthy people actualy are)
