Two weeks ago, the New York Times published a story that should make most liberals and income-envy prone Americans stand up and cheer. The rich are getting poorer.

And you thought there wasn’t any good news out there to be had.

According to a new Merrill Lynch Wealth Management report, the number of people with assets of over $1 million has fallen from 3 million to 2.5 million since last year. But wait, it gets even better. Those dastardly Americans labeled as members of the “Super Rich” a distinction reserved for only those with assets of over $30 million have suffered even more as the number of Americans in this category has fallen by an astounding 24 percent.

Imagine, all this accomplished and President Obama and the Democrats haven’t even had the opportunity to implement their massive income transfer programs yet. Surely, the news is only going to get better in 2010.

But is this really good news? It certainly should be. Since the mid 80’s, we have heard the left yell and scream about how rich certain segments of Americans are. We’ve heard the innuendos time and time again that the rich are soaking up all the resources, that if it weren’t for their greedy ways and their wealth attainment, there’d be some money left for the rest of us.

This idea that the little guy’s life would be so much better without the rich man has been reinforced by the media and politicians who preach wealth envy as campaign themes to get elected.

So for those of you who are afflicted with wealth envy, is your day better now? Has your economic situation improved upward as the plight of the rich man has spiraled downward? Do you feel better about your economic future now that the rich are getting nailed?

The fact is that while the rich have indeed prospered nicely for the past 25 years, the rest of us have as well. Even in third world nations, economic studies have shown that extreme poverty has fallen by 50 percent since 1980. Although the disparity in income level between the middle class and the super rich may have grown over this period, the lifestyle attained by the middle class in America is unlike anything imagined 50 years ago.

One need only to travel to areas of the country that have high concentrations of wealthy residents to see how the misfortunes of the rich have had devastating effects on their communities. Real estate agents and construction workers sit idle with little or no income. Small businesses which depended on people with large discretionary incomes are closing their doors. What’s more, local governments are scrambling to figure out how to make up for lost revenue from their wealthy constituents.

The fact is, a high tide raises all boats, and when the oxygen leaves the room, we all gasp for breath. Calvin Coolidge said it best: “Don’t expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.” Now go and have a pleasant day.

Brad Rudisail is a syndicated political columnist. He is a graduate of the Coverdell Leadership Institute and a resident of Oconee County.

---