“Do we know any poor people?”

They're not the only ones in this situation. Statistically speaking, very few journalists come from backgrounds where they really met any poor people:

https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/elitist-journalism/

> 54 per cent of the 'top hundred media professionals' had been educated at private schools, as opposed to 7 per cent of the population.

There are many studies for stuff like this. And this is an example where the writer still isn't too divorced from the lower rungs of society. Contrast to:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/13/privil...

> Indeed, British journalists, the supposed tribunes of the people, now hail from wealthier backgrounds than, er, bankers

There is a definite disconnect here, and the effects are pretty easily seen in the papers and online news sites.

Politicians also have this symptom. I love to see new regulations coming down from rich privileged mountain which only affect the poor fools they've never met. It would be reasonable to expect that the ruling class spend time in amongst the people they're ruling. I'd go farther to say that the disconnect between the rulers and the ruled has become so large that mere proximity seems to not do the job educationally.

Pay elected officials more to attract better applicants. Use ordered list voting to ease consensus. Implement voting tests (dangerous, but doable.) Should result in better cantidates, chosen through better voting, by better voters.

If you're curious how the other half lives, come visit public transport and say hello.