I'm not wealthy. I'm not in a very good position to help people myself right now (although I have listed on Wishadoo free eggs and pecans). I'm trying to get on my feet as well.
My point is this; even though the 1%ers (or even 10%ers) aren't suffering as much as the people at the bottom; they may not be as well off as you think they are.
There are people going from high wage positions to nothing; losing their houses etc. We aren't hearing much about it because nobody is bragging about it. There are all kinds of empty store fronts and commercial property advertised for sale or lease and very little new construction going on. People are dipping into their retirement (or wiping them out) just to make ends meet. The fact that we aren't all suffering equally doesn't mean we aren't all going through each day with a certain level of uncertainty.
Unfortunately, the higher a person's income - in this day and age - just means that they can drive a nicer car (if they borrow the money) live in a nicer house (if they borrow the money) and put on a fancier facade, but at the end of the day everyone is just wage slaves.
A couple of years ago attorneys were coming out of retirement to apply for openings at the highway department. I called an engineering firm about an opening and the gentleman on the phone said they received over 40 resumes. I think these are tough times for doctors and pilots and other professions that you wouldn't think would have money problems. I also think that they aren't going to brag about it.
I understand that you're cranky because you've suffered some huge setbacks, and I agree that the folks who can - should lend a helping hand (and it seems like quite a few people do), but I think you have an exaggerated view of what the 1% have versus what the .01% have.
I think the .99% at the top are being suckered in to take a whipping on the next stock market crash. I think that's the point: not only are the 1% not safe; they're gonna be the next ones to take the fall.
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