New York Times Preaches “Inequality is Good” to Wealthy ReadersRandy Shawbyline‚ Jun. 13‚ 2007The June 10 Sunday New York Times magazine features a story by Roger Lowenstein (“The Inequality Conundrum”) that attributes rising economic inequality in the United States to the “genie of American prosperity.” In other words, the rich are getting richer not due to political decisions, but because of “the market,” and, according to Lowenstein, there is not much that politicians can do about this. On the page immediately following this article telling the super-wealthy that they should not feel guilty over their skyrocketing gains, is a full-page ad for luxury condos on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Described as “The Finest on Fifth,” the starting price for the cheapest of these condos is $10.25 million.” This is what those in the advertising business call “synergy” between a publication’s news and advertising; those who do not see rising inequality as a product of an “invisible hand” would use a different term. |