What is more important than material possessions?

I understand that material possessions give people joy, and a sense of security, but I do often get the feeling that having a healthier society in which more people have access to equity and good living conditions and civil rights is just a lot more important. 

I think a lot of people are thinking that voting for a person who is dangerous and bad for the country and for the people they know is still their best option because they've become convinced that houses are more important than human rights.

When people get convinced to replace whatever joy they could have gotten out of helping society evolve with something like "this special car or house that will make me feel more secure" it just feels like a kind of mutilation of human potential is taking place, and it's quite a letdown.