... well Malcolm, I cannot address the gap you have seen in the UK I know when I worked there it was obvious to me that Americans (even low income Americans) had a lot more discretionary income. There are few Americans who do not report being much better off these days then they were 10 years ago. I am very aware much aware of the econmic conditons of the community in which I live, your assertion that those disagree with your point-of-view not withstanding.