Eight Facts About Inequality

Pierce Nahigyen presents these facts about the United States:

1) 400 Americans have more wealth than half of all Americans combined. 

2) America has the second-highest level of income inequality, after Chile. 

3) The current state of inequality can be traced back to 1979. 

4) Non-union wages are also affected by the decline of unions. 

5) There is less opportunity for intergenerational mobility. 

6) Tax cuts to the wealthiest have not improved the economy or created more jobs. 

7) Incomes for the top 1% have increased (but the top 0.01% make even more). 

8) The majority of Congress does not feel your pain.

Update (October 25):  Along the same lines, Richard Escow lists seven ways the "American Dream" is coming to an end.

1. Most people can’t get ahead financially.

2. The stay-at-home parent is a thing of the past.

3. The rich are more debt-free. Others have no choice.

4. Student debt is crushing a generation of non-wealthy Americans.

5. Vacations aren’t for the likes of you anymore.

6. Even with health insurance, medical care is increasingly unaffordable for most people. 

7. Americans can no longer look forward to a secure retirement.

Update (July 17, 2015):  Larry Schwartz offers 35 facts about inequality. Just one example: Mean wealth for an American adult is between $250,000 to $300,000, but the median wealth is only about $39,000.