A LA Times article showing people compromising life style to project an image that they could afford a Porsche is middle class? That's your evidence councilor? To me that shows someone trying to show that they are NOT middle class through the car they drive. This article clearly contradicts what you are trying to say.

In the US, up until a couple months ago, someone could buy a house with no money down and without proving they could afford the mortgage payment. We all know how that is working out now as some people defaulted on the very first payment due.

As for the reactions nick, if you think you've struck a nerve I think you are mistaken, I think people are simply reacting to the absurdity of your statement.