But a frequentlyaskedquestion these days is: Are we exceeding the optimal point of inequality and descending into an era of a vanishing middle class and, with it, the spending power and inclination with which it fuels an economy?
That question may never be asked in a highly developed economy like the United States where increases in prices at the gas pump are felt most directly by consumers, but it is a question that is being askedfrequently these days in China where food is such an important part of the budget for most.