American Optimism Revisited

Now a Harris Poll tells us that increasing numbers of Americans believe that "the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer."

Presumably, however, we can still trust the previous Harris Poll which says that Americans are more optimistic than other peoples.

Taken together, this must mean that Americans believe economic disparity isn't really such a bad thing. Perhaps someday soon we'll have rickshaws in every American city and workers offering half-hour shoulder massages for $5 in the lobby of every office building. Servants will once again be affordable for every member of the (admittedly shrunken) middle class.

I can just see that "Fortune" cover story. "The Upside of Poverty: Finally You Can Find Good Help."