Necessity of the Rich

“Don’t Hate Them Because They’re Rich” is New York Magazine article title by Daniel Gross pleading that the non-rich see the importance of the super wealthy in our lives. (
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/culture/features/11721/) Written in 2005, the article applies more aptly today than ever.

Gross points out how greatly the population of the wealthy has greatly increased in New York; there are no longer only recognizable wealthy names like Rockefeller because it appears than nearly everyone living in Manhattan these days has attained a similar amount of wealth. It had become nearly absurd for anyone of middle class to live in the city, with apartment prices soaring, as well as the daily cost of living.

Gross does not want us to blame the rich; he wants us instead to be grateful for their help in sustaining the economy. Without them, there would be no need for service jobs which employ so many people. Without the rich, there would be no need for chauffeurs, nannies, dry cleaners, restaurant workers and the like. Some of the people who hold these jobs in New York City are making six-figures a year, simply because of status of those they work for.

All of this money then goes back into the economy, and sustains it. Today, with the millionaires on Wall Street losing their jobs, service workers are being laid and no one is spending as much money as they had been. Thus, the economy is struggling and “regular” people cannot find jobs. So, I guess we need the rich afterall…?