Wealth Inequality

[Martin Hash]

America chose liberty first, so that people could make decisions for themselves & control their own lives, and Capitalism was their economic system of choice because it closely matches the liberty ideal, but some people conflate them, confusing liberty with Capitalism. Capitalism creates an unequal distribution of wealth. Liberty folks are okay with that as long as it doesn't affect their liberty in a discernible way, but accumulation of wealth accumulates opportunity too, with similar relative zero-sum-game ramifications. Vast accumulation of wealth also consolidates power which has a more direct impact on liberty. And finally, wild wealth disparity creates a de facto class system, and though that's not liberty related, it is human motivation related, and most Americans feel betrayed by a class system. Americans will accept wealth inequality up to a point, and as long as everyone has at least a nominal chance of obtaining it themselves through skill, hard work, or luck, but if opportunity evaporates, or is hoarded by the Nouveau Aristocracy, that Americans, nor any one else, will not accept.