How Bad Is It For The Poor?

An interesting report on the poor in America by Carpe Diem shows that the poor really are too bad off. Sure they don't have what they want, and have to work for the necessities more than the luxuries, but it is all relative. Those with more than you are richer, those with less are poorer.

Overall, the typical American defined as poor by the government has a car, air
conditioning, a refrig­erator, a stove, a clothes washer and dryer, and a
microwave. He has two color televisions, cable or satellite TV reception, a VCR
or DVD player, and a stereo

In the comment section a reader (poor boomer) bashes the report:

consumer goods such as color televisions (okay, just TRY to buy a
black-and-white TV these days!) and VCR.DVD players are dirt cheap, especially
used ones. I have bought good working color TVs and VCRs for less than $25 and
today these used items are even cheaper.

And there you go, actual example of "Trickle down" economics at work. One man's used DVD player is another man's treasure for only $25.