A few years back the Fox Network’s MadTV used to run a series of visual gags called “Lowered Expectations”. They depicted singles who would normally sit on the bench, but could play as long as they were willing to settle for (much) less in the way of their expectations. As it relates to the singles scene it was pretty funny. I’m guessing the concept as applied to standards of living isn’t going to be so funny for a lot of our kids.
The term “Global Economy” doesn’t mean raising everyone’s standard of living to equal ours’ any more than welfare programs can equalize everyone into the middle class. In order for ‘social justice’ to prevail we will all have to suffer equally.