Lizzie asked if there are "class" distinctions in the U.S. and Canada.    Certainly.   I cannot afford a fancy car or a mansion, but I live in a modest home which makes me middle class, and there are those who cannot afford a home and live from paycheck to paycheck - if they can find work.

While their are "distinctions" such as white collar and blue collar, I don't think our issues are as deep as what we are witnessing from our English pals. Our culture is multi-level and we do not expect a one-size-fits-all solution.