"The Lives of an Earlier Generation’s Elite Were, Indeed, Far More Restrained, More Seemly If You Like, Than Those of Today’s Masters of the Universe"

"The point is that while chiding the rich for their vulgarity may not be as offensive as lecturing the poor on their moral failings, it's just as futile. Human nature being what it is, it's silly to expect humility from a highly privileged elite. So if you think our society needs more humility, you should support policies that would reduce the elite's privileges."


Paul Krugman in The New York Times compares America's wealthiest today with those of sixty years ago.