Best of times or worst of times?

According to a recent Gallup poll, two-thirds of Americans think the economy is "only fair" or "poor." Yet the Bush administration maintains that everything is hunky-dory. Why the big discrepancy?

Paul Krugman answers that question in his column in today's NY Times:

"President Bush and other Republican leaders honestly think that we're living in the best of times. After all, everyone they talk to says so.... Mr. Bush and his party talk only to their base - corporate interests and the religious right - and are oblivious to everyone else's concerns."

So it's just a matter of perspective. If you're rich, the economy is great. So all we have to do to improve the economy is...get rich.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/25/opinion/25krugman.html