The New York Times reports on, as Atrios says, the plight of the not quite rich enough. But I noticed this bit of End-Of-Empire detail:
Across the country, elected officials in privileged communities are caught between a fervor to hold down taxes and a fervor to maintain good schools, well-paved streets, an ample police force, generous library hours and other premium public services that set a community like Bronxville apart.
Good schools, well-paved streets, an ample police force, and generous library hours: these are what constitute “premium services” in America, 2011.