What They Mean When They Say "The Economy's Looking Up"

They mean it'll be easier then ever to afford more hired help:

Wall Street bonuses are expected to have hit a record $21.5 billion in 2005 from $18.6 billion in 2004 as investment banks reaped record earnings, New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi said Wednesday.

Last year's bonuses beat the record of $19.5 billion set in 2000 at the peak of the equities boom, Hevesi said during a conference call with reporters.

Booming merger and underwriting activity, as well as a stock market rebound, helped revenues rise by almost 50 percent in the first three quarters of last year.

"2000 was the peak of the greatest boom in our modern history. It was a remarkable time, so this is very good news," Hevesi said...

Hevesi said the average bonus in 2005 was $125,500 -- or $25,000 more than in 2000...

Goldman Sachs Chairman and Chief Executive Henry Paulson received a compensation package worth about $38 million -- 21 percent more than the year before -- while Morgan Stanley Chairman and CEO John Mack got $11.5 million for his five months of service in fiscal 2005, although the board offered to pay him an annual bonus of $28 million.

Compare to Ian's list of 2006's hot entry level jobs--11 of which pay less than $23,000, i.e., chump change by Wall Street standards. And while "butler/maid/valet" isn't listed, plenty of jobs that ARE on the list are basically the short-term rental version thereof. And, if you REALLY want to talk "short term," there's always...the army--where even the bumped up death benefit would barely cover a week's pay for someone like Paulson.

But we're not supposed to talk about social class here in 'merika.