42% of US millionaires say they're not rich

Only the proportion of the population you need to change the minds of to get elected matter, and the people that pay for your campaign. But we'd be going too far off-topic to discuss that in more detail.

True.

I'd also claim that the thread title is wrong. They don't feel rich, which is likely built on stereotypes and movies where "rich"=mansion and yachts.

So more like "I have a lot of money tied up in various ventures and estates that isn't at my leisure to spend or save" as opposed to "You have your own McDonald's??

Yeah. Stereotypes are weird like that.

If you have a million dollars in equity, but the average housing prices in your region are a million bucks, you're not rich.

A millionaire in South Carolina is dramatically better off than a millionaire in San Francisco. As far as cost of living goes, they might as well live in different COUNTRIES altogether. Perhaps income tax brackets should be local cost-of-living adjusted?

edited 24th Mar '11 7:58:10 AM by SavageHeathen

^ That doesn't work even at the state level. It costs a king's ransom to live in places like Boulder, areas of Denver and Aspen in Colorado, yet you can buy a house on barely more than minimum wage in places like Lamar and La Junta.

^ Ah, but that's the rub. If you're making enough to move to Boulder, then you kind of need to move to Boulder, know what I'm saying? Living in an area that's below your income bracket will just encourage thieves to prey on your stuff.

(Ice-T covered this in his inimitable memoirs. )

^ Uhh dude, crime is nearly non-existent in towns like Lamar, yet it is common in cities like Boulder.

Oh. I don't know much about Colorado.

Perhaps my proposed solution isn't optimal, but there's a problem.

150 grand a year in California ain't 150 grand a year in Tennessee.

edited 24th Mar '11 1:09:32 PM by SavageHeathen