For 99% of America, the U.S. economy is in dire straits, but at Yale, it’s a-OK.

Amidst a global financial crisis that threatens the livelihoods of the Joe Plumbers of the world, several top officials at Yale have received exorbitant raises to their already seven-digit salaries.

Why? Well, quite frankly, the University’s endowment is so astronomically high that the administration has nothing better to do with the surplus than pocket it themselves.

After all, why use the $22 billion endowment to fund costly AIDS research or help the needy when one can spend it frivolously making the rich, richer?

This is McCain Economics in action, people. If the “Maverick” is elected, expect to see this continue on a national scale, but for now, it’s contained to the microcosm that is Yale.

Here are some of the more notable salary increases, as reported by the Yale Daily News:

1. David Swensen – Investment Chief raised a 21 percent raise, pushing his salary over $2 million

2. Dean Takahasi – Swensen’s deputy received a 6 percent boost, putting him at $1.8 million

3. David Leffell – a School of Medicine professor now earns $1.2 million

4. Richard Levin – University President; already the highest-paid Ivy League president received a 10 percent boost putting him at $973, 277