[gofigure]

GDP per person in the US is around $50K. Some of the GDP has to go to investment and the government, so at best people can consume on average $30K worth of products/services per year.

Would you be happy consuming just $30K/year? I didn't think so.

The ratrace is not a matter of absolute numbers, it's because everyone wants to have more than their neighbors have and more than what their parents had. Also, everyone seems to want to spend 20% more than what they are making hence most people in the country are in (consumer) debt. Government is no exception and mirrors the behavior of the citizen.

This whole thing about the rich not giving enough money to the poor to keep them working is BS.