Random Thoughts

There has been a lot of news these days about the 1% vs. the 99%.  The Occupy Wall Street group is upset that the system we have in the United States favors the wealthy.  There is support for their arguments in recent data showing that the income levels of the middle class and poor have stagnated or even declined in recent years while the income levels of the wealthiest Americans has continued to climb, increasing the wealth gap.   Republicans counter that, although the wealthiest continue to gain, it has helped all individuals (the trickly down theory) improve.  They point out that many of the "poor" in our country still manage to have air conditioning, cell phones, satellite tv and other conveniences that the poor in the rest of the world would consider wealthy conveniences.

So when I went to Best Buy today, I had some time to look around at some of the latest "conveniences" that many of my students seek. 
I-pads - $600 - $1000, depending on the speed, accessories and Geek Squad package.
I-phones (and similar brands) - $400+ service plan.
Classic I-pod - $200  couldn't find the price for the new, more expensive version.
Dr. Dre/Skull Candy/Bose Head phones   $150-200

I make a good salary.  I would be consider my family to be solidly middle class.  There is no way I would pay this kind of money for these things.  Who does?  Seems like there are a lot of students who have these toys.   Should parents spend money getting their kids these toys, or building their savings acount for college?  With college getting so expensive, shouldn't parents help thier kids save instead of getting them these toys?  Are head phones that sound really clear that important?