Posted on 07/19/2010 8:27:09 AM PDT by Pyro7480
America is struggling with a sputtering economy and high unemployment — but times are booming for Washington’s governing class.
The massive expansion of government under President Barack Obama has basically guaranteed a robust job market for policy professionals, regulators and contractors for years to come. The housing market, boosted by the large number of high-income earners in the area, many working in politics and government, is easily outpacing the markets in most of the country. And there are few signs of economic distress in hotels, restaurants or stores in the D.C. metro area.
As a result, there is a yawning gap between the American people and D.C.’s powerful when it comes to their economic reality — and their economic perceptions.
A new POLITICO poll, conducted by market research and consulting firm Penn Schoen Berland, underscores the big divide: Roughly 45 percent of “Washington elites” said the country and the economy are headed in the right direction, while roughly 25 percent of the general population said they felt that way.
The online poll, the first in a six-month Power and the People series, surveyed 1,011 people nationally to compare their views with the views of 227 people who live in the D.C. metro area, earn way more than the national average and are involved in some form in policy or politics.
The sample of Washington elites was aware of its propitious situation: Seventy-four percent of those surveyed said the economic downturn has hurt them less than most Americans. They should be self-aware, given the economic indicators for people who live and work in the area....
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Let them eat cake.
Sounds like its 1860 all over again.
...and they don’t like to pay their taxes.
“More than 3 percent of the 2.8 million federal civilian employees owed the Treasury unpaid federal income taxes in 2008, according to the IRS. If you include retirees and military service members, the numbers go from nearly 100,000 up to 276,000 current or former workers who owe $3 billion in taxes.”
I was in DC over the 4th, and was absolutely stunned by the amount of construction going on, the people in the malls etc...
There is a recession in the US, but it has spared Washington DC...I made that comment to numerous associates here in MO upon my return!
God forbid if a nuke went off in D.C.....that’s a whole lot of idiots being toasted at one time. /s =.=
‘The era of big government is over’
- former Pres. Bill Clinton, Jan. 27, 1996
They’ve ruined state and local economies to fatten the Federal Spenders....
There is never a recession in dc.
They make sure of that.
Not something to crow about.
Self ping for later read.
“Let them eat cake.”
"We will cleave the people to our bosoms, and they will love us as their parents."
FREEP THIS POLL ***PING!*** FRmail me if you want to be added or removed from the Fearless Poll-Freeping Freepers Ping list. And be sure to ping me to any polls that need Freepin', if I miss them. (looks like a medium volume list) (gordongekko909, founder of the pinglist, stays on the list until his ghost signs up for the list)
As usual with these poll, the question is worded in a way that does not actually fit the reason - in this case no.
It is NOT because it will create tension, it IS because it is NOT appropriate.
Why is the obvious so difficult for those in charge to see?
Yes. I’m an insensitive jerk and need to move to Iran.
35%
No. It’s just going to create unnecessary tension.
60%
I’m not smart enough to evaluate the information.
3%
Do you support the construction of a community center with a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks?
Yes. It would be a great symbol of diversity. 34%
No. It’s just going to create unnecessary tension. 62%
I’m not sure. 3%
LOL, I was going to write:
"Yes, you can stamp stupid on my forehead now." :~)
Good ‘ole days of the Clinton Adminstration, huh?
I don’t think they ever ended.
The cancer always grows largest just before it kills it’s host....
freeped! Thank you
Good one.
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