General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: There is not a single business owner in this country who got where they are 100% on their own [View all]PETRUS
(3,678 posts)This rhetoric is about tax policy. The reason we are hearing language like this now is because inequality has been increasing for a few decades and is currently about as bad as it's been anytime in the postwar period. At the same time, the tax obligations of the wealthiest are historically low. More than two-thirds of the public agrees with the statements like "inequality is a serious problem" and "the rich don't pay their fair share in taxes." So why fret about whether or not some will object to this message - of course it will turn some people off, but who expects 100% of the vote?
The rise in inequality is not because the richest have worked harder or taken smarter risks with their businesses. It is directly attributable to policy changes that redistribute (pretax) income upwards. The richest have devoted money to manipulating public opinion and buying politicians in order to change the laws in their favor.
This has led to an environment where hard work and risk-taking are less likely to pay off. The US is now a laggard in small business creation and economic mobility.