First and foremost I would like to clarify that anything I write here is written with a light heart, with no intention to criticize anyone. I write based on my thoughts and observations, and try never to get personal or negative. If anyone took anything I wrote otherwise, I sincerely apologize.
I don't think you understand materialism as it is being discussed here.
I must have forgotten that English is not the primary language of these forums, but rather a language with many similarities, yet profoundly different
As per Google:
maˇteˇriˇalˇism
məˈtirēəˌlizəm/
noun
1. a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.
Outside of the Chabad yeshiva world were materialism is looked at as anything to do with gashmiyus.
I can't speak for "the Chabad yeshiva world", but I could bring a quote of what I consider the "Kitzur Shulchan Oruch" of being a Lubavitcher
http://chabadlibrary.org/books/default.aspx?furl=/admur/hymym/8/30 and I wonder if anyone reading this for the first time would contend that this השקפה is unique to Chabad or Lubavitch.
Most people look at it as keeping up with the Jones's attitude. When talking about OOT people generally live comfortably and are happy with what they have. As opposed to an attitude found in many major Jewish cities where people want to not just live comfortably but also want to have the newest car, gadget, clothes, etc.
No one is saying that people from the Midwest are beinonim from Tanya they are saying that they live a life not dependent on what everyone else is doing.
I absolutely don't see any of this being a function of where one lives, which is what prompted me to bring the Milton Friedman quote above.
And in case you didn't realize, YOUR explanation of the מעלות of Midwesterners seems to confirm my understanding of materialism (which you say is not a trait of Midwesterners).
The only difference between us seems to be that you might see lack of (or reduced) materialism as a trait of Midwesterners, whereas I see it as something independent of geography. (And to the extent it is dependent on the surroundings, it is just a matter of time. Just look at today's Lakewood compared to a decade or two ago).
Your attitude needs some serious checking how you talk about other individual people.
I will again apologize to the בעל אכסניא and/or anyone who might have been offended by anything I said. Whatever I write here is written with a light heart, and while I do realize that it might come across as a שטאך, I would have never written it if I would think it would be taken offensively, rather than something said amongst friends.
Your starting to become the Chabad version of CBC (no offense CBC).
I haven't been around long enough to understand what you are referring to.