I think most people are misrepresenting happiness here. Happiness comes from what you buy with your money, not the actual money itself. For instance, it goes like "Man im happy I got that X-box" not "Man, im happy I have money to buy that thing I wanted.
If some people are, as they've said they are, happy for having money with which they can potentially purchase things, and
that makes them happy rather than the end result, ie. what they buy, then so be it I say. I think what makes an individual happy is down to that individual's own perception, so that there's no 'misrepresenting' it.
I see money as a distance between its own extent and having to barter my physical possessions away. Said possessions are more enjoyable, but the peace of mind in knowing one won't have to lose any of them seems like a fine reason for contention anyway.