how the mighty are fallen

The economic downturn has led to a proliferation of articles on getting by with less, and on people who are doing so. The New York Times has not come off well in this, revealing just how completely out of touch their authors often are with reality. Articles like As the Rich Get Poorer, Teenagers Feel the Crunch which discuss the poor teens whose $100/week allowance has been cut are one indication of that, or Trickledown Downsizing, about having to lay off your maid.

I think you're being really insensitive, Dave. These are very real issues for our middle-class family. The whining from our teenaged children alone is enough to make us cut back as parents to insure they get their rightful allowance.