the most overworked, most taxed, highest responsiblity. the truly wealthy just live a carefree live of leisure, philanthrophy or investment. imagine making $5 million dollars per year just on passive income? there are lots of people out there like that.
when you're dirt poor, you're almost as free as the idle rich. society at large and your proximate social environment place such low expectations on you it's almost impossible to fail. your tax rate is basically zero if you earn a living at all. it's just a free-wheeling, fun, carefree life.
middle class have it second worse. the 60k-120k/year crowd. they work 9-5 in hellish soul-sucking jobs but they are taxed reasonably, tend to have pride in their community and family and have relatively stable lives. but it is a very grey, monotone existence. not ideal.
finally, upper middle class, despite being the second rung from the top of the socioeconomic pyramid, clearly have the worst quality of life. overworked, stressed, highest tax rates (without the benefit of "creative" accounting to avoid paying taxes) very little freedom to pursue creative or self-actualizing goals. UMC lives are aptly compared to pie-eating contests where the prize is more pie. moreover, they tend to have the weakest community and family bonds of any group because they're ALWAYS working and frequently move around for their jobs. their identities are entirely wrapped up in their careers, which are almost exclusively extant to serve the whims of the ruling class.