In a new poll, the vast majority of Americans say that in the five years since the recession, the government has "done not much or nothing at all to help poor people [and] middle-class people." Guess what? They're right!

You don't have to ask how people feel on this issue. All you have to do is look at the data, such as: "Last year, the richest 10% received more than half of all income — 50.5%, or the largest share since such record-keeping began in 1917." It is not simply an opinion dearly held by most Americans that the government has not done much to help the poor and middle class since the recession. It is a fact.

"Yet majorities say government policies have done a great deal or a fair amount to help large banks and financial institutions (69%), large corporations (67%), and wealthy people (59%)."

That is also a fact.

Also, "Wealthier Americans are among those most content with their lives," a separate poll from the Wall Street Journal finds. "In households making $75,000 a year or more, 66% gave their lives an 8 [out of 10] or better, compared with just 36% of those in households making less than $30,000 a year."

In America, it's good to be rich. Now more than ever.

[Photo: Flickr]