Heck, I was rich as a 20 something making $35,000 a year. Not rich as in 'give me a private jet rich' but rich as in ... I owned my own condo, didn't have or need a car, didn't waste money, and had everything I needed and basically anything I really wanted, and was able to entertain and even impress my friends. I had a fireplace, and wood to burn in it - in the middle of the city. I lived on the nicest block in the downtown, in a place with more than enough space and nice furniture.

As they say, for most people, 'rich' means ... more than I currently have.

But for some of us, rich means not having to worry about whether I'll be able to pay that bill, and being able to give things away, generously.

So I don't want anybody to raise taxes on the rich.

I think "rich" is entirely dependent on one's level of student loan debt.

It's certainly a significant factor.

Sounds great, but I know some homeless people without any student loans. Having not gone to college, of course, they didn't really need them...

BenK:

Sounds great, but I know some homeless people without any student loans. Having not gone to college, of course, they didn't really need them...

I was being factious.

I wasn't comparing people with student loans to people in Malawi either. The comparison was to be made between employed people with similar salaries.

but honestly this is a good point- a lot of wealth is all just a perception and stuff. When it comes down to it, a lot of times having friends and family who would let you move in is the only thing separating a "comfortable" person from a homeless person.

Yes, this is something I have seen many times when working with homeless people... the biggest indicator of a person who will become homeless is the lack of a functional family or the breakdown of relations with extended family. Then, a crisis hits - perhaps medical, or unexpected bills, or being laid off, or being forced into 'retirement.' With no buffer and no support, the situation spirals out of control. An argument with a sibling or parent 20, 30 years earlier prevents recourse to shelter, and no address means no stability. Personal possessions are abandoned, drinking often becomes a bigger problem if it wasn't already one, and the street becomes home.