I'll note that both statements can be true: While 53-56% of folks own some sort of stock, most folks own very little stock and thus, don't really have much say.

I'll note that both statements can be true: While 53-56% of folks own some sort of stock, most folks own very little stock and thus, don't really have much say. IIRC, something like 70% of the value of stocks are held by the top 10% earners. I mean, owning a lot of stock generally requires buying a lot of stock so this does make sense. I'll also point out that it isn't like the 56% is evenly distributed. When you are more wealthy, you are vastly more likely to own stock. The poorest among us generally would have to sell any reasonable amount of stock amount in order to qualify for benefits so that you are destitute enough to get help with shelter. Few people say they have stocks if they have a pension and nothing else mostly because isn't actually owning the stocks.