What's funny is, even most of the "elite" in an authoritarian Socialist/Communist regime don't have the standard of living that middle-class Americans enjoy. As a result of Socialism, the whole country lacks. Even the top is lower than it could be.
Liberty and free-market economics make everyone more wealthy.
You are exactly correct.
Not only does the average middle class American have a higher standard of economic living and health care, the individual political freedom are even more important.
The elites are a step away from ruin all the time. If the boss is not happy, they disappear. Thus the temporary elevation can and is often very short.
[The elite] have everything from Octopus to Steak to varieties of bread, the shelves are packed,
So does the Wal-Mart near my house, which caters to the lower classes. Live lobsters, wild salmon, prime steaks, exotic fruits, fresh fancy breads... plenty for everyone. Too pricy? one can make a rather nice dinner for two for $2.
Even the high-budget fancy grocery store near my work offers a nice mix of salmon, tuna, tilapia, etc. chunks for a paltry $2/lb.
Of course, all this is limited to the "elite" of tyrranies. Not quite sure why the tyrants don't just cash in & move somewhere nice where they can get by much better than our "poor".