In the supposedly classless society of the United States, the wealthiest Americans are doing remarkably well.<\/p>\n
According to Forbes<\/a><\/em>, a leading business magazine, the combined wealth of the 400 richest Americans has now reached the staggering total of $2.3 trillion. This gives them an average net worth of $5.7 billion\u2014an increase of 14 percent over the previous year.<\/p>\n With fortunes far beyond the dreams of past kings and potentates, these super-wealthy individuals enjoy extraordinary lifestyles. Larry Ellison<\/a>, the third wealthiest man in the United States (with $50 billion, an increase of 22 percent) reportedly has \u201c15 or so homes scattered all around the world.\u201d Among his yachts are two exceptionally big ones, each over half as long as a football field. In fact, they\u2019re large enough for him to play basketball while on board. If a ball bounces over the rail, Ellison has a powerboat following along to retrieve it.<\/p>\n Other Americans aren\u2019t doing nearly as well. According to the Census Bureau<\/a>, more than 45 million Americans are living in poverty, which it defines as under $11,490 a year for an individual and under $23,550 for a family of four. Many of them endure lives of hunger, misery, and despair, helped along by a Congress that has slashed billions from government food stamp programs, ended extended unemployment benefits, and refused to raise the minimum wage.<\/p>\n America\u2019s middle class, plagued by stagnant income and declining wealth, has also suffered. According to the Federal Reserve, between 2010 and 2013 median income<\/a> in the United States fell by five percent. Indeed, since 1989, the median net worth<\/a> of the statistical middle class\u2014the middle 20 percent of Americans\u2014has dropped by nearly 18 percent.<\/p>\n