Good to Great

Among Democrats, 56% rate their own financial situation as good to excellent, but only 7% think the rest of us are doing OK according to a story in the week-end WSJ. Those Democrats. Don't they have just the biggest, softest hearts? It makes a great campaign issue, because perception trumps facts every time. To be fair, it isn't just Democrats. About a decade ago I remember reading a happiness survey. The people surveyed scored very high on their own satisfaction and happiness scale, but felt so badly for everyone else whom they perceived as not doing as well. Then I noticed a story about the family leave act. Most people are satisfied with the law--they like being able to use up to 12 weeks when THEY need it, but they think others are abusing it and the laws should be tightened up.