I agree with your main point but >why this is a polarizing issue as 99.5% of people are on the same side of the threshold are we? I earn way less than mid-lev

I agree with your main point but >why this is a polarizing issue as 99.5% of people are on the same side of the threshold are we? I earn way less than mid-level programmer in SV and I'm pretty sure I'm on the "rich" side of threshold already. Granted I'm relatively frugal, live alone, and live in a (capital of a) low cost of living country but fact is a fact. I'm sure every single homeowner in California can achieve financial independency (if they sell their property and move somewhere cheap).