Are We Any Poorer?

The price of many leading bank stocks has dropped by 80%. The price of oil has dropped by 70% from its peak. Our investments are now valued at a fraction of their peak values. We must be so much poorer.
photo credit: http://www.socsci.umn.edu/~alaniz/, mother-teresa-with-baby.jpg

Here's what I think:

The price of many leading bank stocks has dropped by 80%. The price of oil has dropped by 70% from its peak. Our investments are now valued at a fraction of their peak values. We must be so much poorer. Yes, only to the extent that we are meaner. Most of us living in developed countries are still filthy rich by the following standards:
Of the world's population,
only the richest 1/5 live in standard or above housing,
only the richest 1/3 can read,
only the richest 1/2 are well-nourished,
only the richest 2/3 have clean water,
only the richest 3/5 have good sanitation,
only the richest 3/4 have electricity,
only the richest 7% have access to the internet,
only the richest 1% have been to college.

You and I, are not doing too badly, my friend.
Be thankful, always.
Be cautious, yes.
You are only poor indeed, if you are too poor to be kind.