Pasadena Chamber of Commerce

Thank you Rosa Brooks and the LA Times:

You “can never be too rich or too thin,” said the Duchess of Windsor, who was wrong on both counts.

As the economic crisis deepens, many Americans may soon discover what it means to be too thin, an insight that until now has been largely reserved for denizens of the developing world. This is changing. In January, U.S. food banks saw a 30% increase in the number of people who couldn’t afford to buy enough food on their own, but 70% of food banks reported that they lacked the resources to feed those extra mouths. (Call it the Economic Crash Diet.)

Meanwhile, other Americans are shocked to discover that the rest of us think they’re too rich. Listen to the chorus of Wall Street whining that greeted President Obama’s proposal to cap executive pay at firms that take federal bailout money. (A measly $500,000 salary? Who can live on that?)

But yes, Wall Street, it is possible to be too rich.

It is also possible that people who have no food on their table are having a very difficult time understanding Wall Streeters whining that they may have to forgo the $1 million bonus since our taxpayer dollars were required to keep your bank afloat.

In Britain, they’re recognizing the same problem and taking steps to stop bonus payments to those responsible for the recession.

The London Times reports:

Somewhat closing the barn door after the horses have fled, but…

Paul