It's the American metric - In America, the richer you are, the more you're able to afford hiring shifty accountants and lawyers who hide away your money and get

It's the American metric - In America, the richer you are, the more you're able to afford hiring shifty accountants and lawyers who hide away your money and get you out of paying taxes. The more you're able to create offshore accounts and shell companies to hide your earnings. The more you're able to pay off politicians and others to look the other way while you do this. The metric the author is using is the fantastic state American politics are in.