The Tragic Plight of Working-Class Millionaires

Gary Rivlin's article in today's New York Times uncovers yet another overlooked national disgrace--the struggles of so-called "working-class millionaires" in California's Silicon Valley. Estimates put the number of these single-digit millionaires in the "tens of thousands." And, until now, many have suffered in silence. The gist of Rivlin's piece is that millionaires in the Valley face financial, professional, and psychological challenges in trying to keep up with those who have more. Or as one "workaday wealth-monger" (my term, not Rivlin's) stated, "a few million doesn’t go as far as it used to." Another "everyman elitist" (again, my term--this is kind of fun...) justified his 60-80 hour workweek by noting "You're nobody here at $10 million." Rivlin even interviews a Menlo Park psychologist who specializes in the crippling guilt and self-doubt suffered by these..."lunchpail luxury-livers" (okay, I'll stop...). Thank God, these people, and their plight, have been brought out of the shadows--their Ferrari-driving, obscenely-rich shadows. The 2008 presidential campaign finally has an issue that will get voters to the polls--how to best help our single-digit millionaires.

The entire article is worth reading even if only to test one's tolerance for the absurd. To make the read more fun, count the number of times you find yourself rolling your eyes, or muttering under your breath, "you've got to be kidding..."