So a few months back, I mentioned some of my favorite examples of outrageous extravagance described as everyday living in the New York Times. I made the mistake of flipping through the Grey Lady today, and, well…”Adding to the spending spree is a rash of young hedge fund analysts, first big bonus checks in hand, scooping up the $2 million to $3 million starter apartments…” Starter apartments?

Or how about “As more blacks move up the economic ladder, one fixture — some would say necessity — of the upper-middle-class income bracket often eludes them.” What could they be? A safe neighborhood? Access to healthy food? No - Personal nannies. Damn, man. I grew up middle class, and going to daycare instead of waiting at home alone was what we considered good living.

Merry Christmas! And remember, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Incidentally, a Polish Catholic told me that the Eye referred to a low gate in Jerusalem and not to a literal needle. In either case…)