Inequality and Democracy

Campaign for America's Future offers ten facts about the top one percent and explains why inequality matters for our democracy.

1. Not so long ago, growth and prosperity were more widely shared in this country.
2. Then something changed.
3. Most of the nation’s income gains are now going to the top.
4. Wealth inequality has returned to levels not seen since the Roaring ’20s.
5. The 0.01 percent – a tiny group of people – controls a vast amount of wealth.
6. 536 people, $2.6 trillion dollars
7. CEOs are taking up a bigger piece of the pie, and workers are getting less.
8. The average American household is falling behind on wages.
9. The average American owns less wealth than people in many other developed countries.
10. More than one child in five lives in poverty.

A government controlled by wealthy individuals and large corporations will be much more likely to harm the environment and subvert democratic processes. It will cater to the defense industry abroad and the for-profit prison industry at home. It will hamper racial justice, because true equality cannot be achieved without effort and cost. Its policies are likely to foster growing instability at home and abroad, affecting virtually every aspect of foreign and domestic policy.

Also, Politico finds that the top 100 donors have made $195 million in contributions this election cycle so far while the 2 million smallest donors have contributed $155 million.