Buzz: On wealth, health and lingerie

By Al Olson, Senior editor

This being a presidential campaign year, there is a lot of talk about ?American exceptionalism,? a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville about 180 years ago. Over the years, Americans have argued over what makes us all so exceptional.

This week in Life Inc., we added more fodder for debate. According to a study released Tuesday by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the U.S. ranks No. 1 in average household wealth, at $102,000. But when it comes to work-life balance, Americans have a lot of catching up to do. Among the more than 500 reader comments is this exceptional one from Mary Jones-1616541: ?Just goes to prove the old saying. Money can't buy you happiness.?

Another Life Inc. post that created a buzz was senior writer Allison Linn?s report about American workers? satisfaction with their company health plans. It?s the cost, not the availability, of health insurance that is the primary thing keeping workers from getting insured. Ninety percent of uninsured workers said they didn?t have insurance because it was too costly.

We asked our readers if they were happy with their company?s health plan. More than 33,650 of you voted and 50.5 percent said no. Only 32.4 percent of our readers said they were satisfied. And 17.1 percent reported that they don?t have a company health plan.

And, finally, contributing writer Eve Tahmincioglu filed a widely read blog post about a women who claims she was fired from a lingerie shop because she was too hot. ?

?When I was first told that I was ?too hot? and that my breasts were too large I was shocked,? said Lauren Odes. Her sexy appearance, she said, got her a pink slip from an employer who sells intimate apparel much sexier than your basic slips.

Attorney Gloria Allred, defender of wronged women everywhere,?held a news conference.

We asked our readers whether they thought?Odes was a victim of discrimination, and nearly 60 percent of you said no.

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