Funny post by David Brooks about the irritation that DC policy wonks have with the Wall Street richies.
Nonetheless, many people in Ward Three do have certain resentments toward those with means, which those of you in the decamillionaire-to-billionaire wealth brackets should be aware of.
In the first place, many people in Ward Three suffer from Sublimated Liquidity Rage. As lawyers, TV producers and senior civil servants, they make decent salaries, but 60 percent of their disposable income goes to private school tuition and study abroad trips. They have little left over to spend on themselves, which generates deep and unacknowledged self-pity.
Second, they suffer from what has been called Status-Income Disequilibrium. At work they are flattered and feared. But they still have to go home and clean out the gutters because they can’t afford full-time household help.
I have no problem with a little old-fashioned, rich people bashing. I mean I hate them, too. There's nothing more annoying than hearing kids chat with each other about how they spent their winter holidays skiing in France. But, really, Wall Street did cut back this year. People didn't get bonuses this year at my husband's firm. That meant a 50% cut in take home pay. Sure, their base salaries are still quite respectable, but we should have heard more outrage a few years back.
