If you want to get a good look at the disconnect between the governing and financial elites and the rest of the country take a look at this:
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median annual household income in the United States is roughly $50,000 per year. The Gallup poll finds those below that level typically saying they would need to earn $100,000 or more in annual income to be rich. Those at or above that level typically report they would need to earn $200,000 a year to be rich, which expands to $250,000 among those well above the U.S. median income ($75,000 or more in annual household income).
The poll also finds higher estimates of the annual income needed to be rich among men than among women; estimates are also higher for younger vs. older Americans, and college graduates vs. college nongraduates. The typical parent of minor children believes he or she would need to make more money to be rich than does the typical American without minor children. Additionally, urban and suburban residents believe they would need more to be rich than do those residing in towns or rural areas.
I don’t know how many Americans hear the perpetual whines of the Masters of the Universe about how hard they work and how unfair all this criticism of inequality is, but if they did hear about it — and knew just how gluttonous these Galtian heroes really are — I would guess they would become even more angry. It’s truly obnoxious. Throwing a full-blown tantrum because the president of he United States says “you’ll still be able to ride on your corporate jet. You’re just going to have to pay a little more”, might not be the smartest move in this environment.
