You think people really make more money than they did in 2001? That's one of the things that is fueling the populist anger we see in the Tea Party movement. People want to know where their money has gone.
Of course, the major exception is that the rich have made staggering gains in income (compared to the working class, when adjusted for inflation) over the last few decades. You can't tell me that they're just working that much harder than they were 30 years ago.
> "That's one of the things that is fueling the populist anger we see in the Tea Party movement"
...And simultaneously one of the most ironic things about the Tea Party movement.
While legitimately wondering where their money has gone, they're giving tacit support to policies that would only exacerbate the divide. (lowered taxes, increased selective deregulation, etc)
