Wealthy Americans have always enjoyed the benefits of their money (however acquired): expensive homes and cars, fine clothes and jewelry, gated communities and country club memberships have defined their lifestyle. And few of us would deny their right to personal extravagance.
However, a variety of public agencies have recently expanded the benefits of wealth and, in the process, have stoked the social divide that defines American society. Money now ensures reserved parking at mass transit stations, access to express lanes on urban highways and the opportunity to bypass crowds at airport security checkpoints; these are but a few of the social perks granted to wealthy citizens.
Mayors and other city administrators will argue that this convenience tax helps to fund a variety of urban projects. While this may be true, it also highlights the fact that, even at the level of public services, social class has an impact. When a small segment of society is able to bypass the trials of daily life, they lose empathy for the problems faced by the middle and lower classes and are less likely to support policies or legislation designed to deal with those problems. In my opinion, the benefits of wealth should not extend to the public sector.
