I think he is arguing almost exactly the opposite. Poverty, poor education, etc are the underlying problem - the arsenic - and income inequality is one of the

I think he is arguing almost exactly the opposite. Poverty, poor education, etc are the underlying problem - the arsenic - and income inequality is one of the symptoms - like hair loss from chronic arsenic poisoning. Attacking income inequality directly would be like forcing haircuts on people to make wigs for people with arsenic poisoning. Not only does it not solve the problem - it helps a bit - but it actually harms innocent bystanders. People like quick, simple solutions. It's a lot easier to raise taxes on billionaires than break the cycle of poverty or fix public schools.