Max Green (DePaul University) on Economic Inequality
March 28, 2012
Is Economic Inequality the Single Greatest Problem in America Today?
Income inequality has been described as one of the greatest challenges facing America today. The Occupy Wall Street movement brought income distribution inequity to the public forum in a very vocal way. Despite a failure to enact or inform any real policy, the movement was successful in getting the conversation started.
Income inequality has not been as acute as it is now since the 1980s. The merging and conglomeration of most of the largest corporations in America in the early 1900s led to the creation of the Clayton Act and other antitrust policies, which have been repeatedly expanded upon over the last century. In the late 1990s many antitrust and banking regulations were reversed simultaneously, giving business the ability to once again stretch the middle of America to its fraying ends.
The US has digressed to the point where phrases such as “class warfare” are used to justify actions that would once be classified as bigotry. The Supreme Court is even now accepting to once again hear testimony on the issue of affirmative action in college admissions. How unconscionable! If changed, colleges would be forced to join the socio-political system of splitting the middle, creating even more of a divide between the “haves” and the “never will haves”. The worst thing that could happen is to make an underprivileged, underserved young person even more discouraged.
Despite the transgressions of the past two decades, I have not given up on the dream of a fair and balanced economic structure for America. I believe that a depolarized political system, an increased discourse about poverty and wealth, and a rejuvenation of spirit in young people could bring about lasting social change. As the lasting effects of the Great Recession wear on I think that the lower-middle and lower class will become increasingly disgruntled and disenchanted with the status quo. I do not believe that people will sit idly by while their hopes for prosperity are crushed along with the American dream. I hope these individuals will make their voices heard; they may even march on Washington. Regardless, of how lasting change is accomplished I do trust the democratic process will satiate the impoverished. I am truly hopeful for a brighter tomorrow and a renewal of the American middle class.
The US has digressed to the point where phrases such as “class warfare” are used to justify actions that would once be classified as bigotry. The Supreme Court is even now accepting to once again hear testimony on the issue of affirmative action in college admissions. How unconscionable! If changed, colleges would be forced to join the socio-political system of splitting the middle, creating even more of a divide between the “haves” and the “never will haves”. The worst thing that could happen is to make an underprivileged, underserved young person even more discouraged.
Despite the transgressions of the past two decades, I have not given up on the dream of a fair and balanced economic structure for America. I believe that a depolarized political system, an increased discourse about poverty and wealth, and a rejuvenation of spirit in young people could bring about lasting social change. As the lasting effects of the Great Recession wear on I think that the lower-middle and lower class will become increasingly disgruntled and disenchanted with the status quo. I do not believe that people will sit idly by while their hopes for prosperity are crushed along with the American dream. I hope these individuals will make their voices heard; they may even march on Washington. Regardless, of how lasting change is accomplished I do trust the democratic process will satiate the impoverished. I am truly hopeful for a brighter tomorrow and a renewal of the American middle class.
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