Toki Tokijkla

Inequality for All

This was not my first time watching this documentary, yet somehow it always manages
to surprise and anger me. One of the most interesting points it raises is that as the wealth gap
increases, the country’s wealthiest accumulate much more money than they would ever know
what to do with. We know by now that trickle-down economics doesn't work, and that most of
that money gets put away somewhere, but what is more reprehensible in my opinion is the way
that this indicates the exploitation of the working class. For example, someone who is very
hardworking and very lucky may well earn a million dollars in a year, but there is no amount of
work which can justify someone bringing in hundreds of millions to their personal bank account
each year. And certainly said individuals did not personally create hundreds of millions of
dollars of added value to the economy.
It is especially interesting to me that Reich brings up throughout the film that he did not
“move left,” but rather that he stayed firm while everyone else seemed to move around him. This
is a sentiment that I think a lot of people who have been lucky enough to witness this change in
politics could relate to, especially when you consider the fact that center in America is actually
quite right-of-center when compared to the politics of other countries.
The fact that someone like Robert Reich, who used to be considered centrist, but is now
considered an extremist by some, is incredibly fascinating to me. In such a relatively short
amount of time, the ways in which we think about money, wealth, and the economy have
changed drastically. Especially in recent times, where we have seen plenty of tax cuts and
bailouts for corporations and the wealthy where no one bats an eye, but debt forgiveness and
other welfare programs which benefit the average American are considered too costly and
extreme.
Additionally, It confuses me to no end that the extremely wealthy, while highly
concerned about protecting their wealth and gaining more, are not interested in contributing to a
healthy and growing middle class. I have to wonder if some of that disinterest comes from the
fact that their companies and financial interests are in things which most people will pay to have
and use even if they struggle to afford it, either because they have to or because the company has
a natural monopoly. Specifically I am thinking about things like pharmaceuticals, electrical,
petroleum, and services like amazon which most people could live without but choose not to.
I think Americans would be much more critical of their politicians and those who fund
them if it were more transparent about where that money comes from, and where our taxes are
going. While plenty of people wish there were more support for the working class, there are still
plenty of people who truly believe that trickle-down economics will begin to work, and that they
will someday benefit. And while I personally do not see these people as being against me, but
rather see them as people who have suffered due to disinformation, I still have a hard time
processing how anyone could see the wealth gap in America and think that we’re doing things
right.