I'm fairly moderate, maybe even becoming a bit conservative in my old (hah) age, but even I agree that inequality is causing problems. And all the economists w

I'm fairly moderate, maybe even becoming a bit conservative in my old (hah) age, but even I agree that inequality is causing problems. And all the economists with their Friedman-esque theories didn't properly anticipate how angry this issue can make people. I guess the 2nd order effects of the free market 50-75 years into a stable and wealthy evolved society were too far ahead to realize. We need to address it for our own self-preservation or it may become one of those issues that dooms what has been a good system. I have to see the problems of inequality manifesting in concrete ways, because otherwise the concept of it isn't a priori bad to me. As people create wealth (a good thing), just the fact that others haven't managed to isn't a problem to me. That is inevitable and happens with any system. But when it gets to this level, it is causing problems: -- Wealth accumulation allowing people to buy 2nd homes or more (esp. investment homes), in really expensive places partly with speculative goals, which makes it harder for not just the poor, but everyone in general, especially young people, to afford housing (and not even talking ownership, but rentals) -- the ability of people with wealth to choose to back symbolic causes with money, at little cost to them but with great cost to the targets of those causes. It cuts both ways mind you, so don't be so glad to embrace this point. I think of the (admittedly mundane) example of people donating $10k to random people on crowdfund sites to buy tents for the homeless because of the symbolism of it, that then litter the streets of other people's cities. -- Related to that, the political discourse becoming more mirroring of the economic situation, in that people's attention gets focused on (and distracted by) the growing extremes of society. It's hard to resist. They dominate the headlines and discussion. Political opinions of the ultrawealthy and their companies, rare but attention-getting exceptions to the norm. On the more silly end, people's dumb luxo-rich envy feeds on instagram making people upset and setting unrealistic expectations... -- And finally, vague but real: the new serfdom/perpetual servitude that people with bad education, or back luck early in life are condemned to because they can't do anything to dig out of a $15/hour job serving relatively rich people who are angry at the shoddy level of customer service these days... I actively see this in people I employ. It's a problem. Not to say we need to abandon capitalism, and not to say that any of the current solutions out there would fix it in ways without unintended consequences. But it is a problem needing attention and some smart solutions put forth that can get people to realize it's our own necks on the line if we don't.