MB - Lets see if i am clear on your thinking here. Over the last 40yrs due to changes in government policy the share of GDP going to the poor and middle class has decreased from 20% of GDP down to 11% of GDP. And at the same time the % of GDP going to the top 1% of Americans has increased from 12% to 20%.

And you think 80% of the populations financial problems are "self created"

What say we take HALF of your income, insist you work just as hard if not harder, and layer in society pressure that tells you you are a loser if you don't live in the right community or drive the right car. Then tell me what the chances are that most people are going to "self create" financial problems.

Blaming the poor for being poor is the oldest trick in the book. It is the propaganda of the rich and it seems you have been swimming in it for quite some time