No need to acquaint this crowd with the Occupy Wall Street movement. Yet for many, particularly Republicans, the concerns about income inequality expressed by these protestors is purely philosophical. To some like Herman Cain, income inequality exists simply because most of us are lazy, or not willing to try hard enough. To Herman Cain, we are all capable of being millionaires if we'd get off our fat asses.
Intuitively we understand that the greater the gap in inequality, the rougher our society becomes and the higher degree of social stress. What is missing for many is the proof. Follow me below the fold if you'd like some proof.
Enter today's TED talk, by Richard Wilkinson who has studied the issue and has slide after slide of empirical evidence. The short of it: income inequality adds to social pressure, make a society less stable and make people not only more vulnerable, but makes those on the lower end feel more worthless. The greater the spread, the bigger the problem. Narrow the gap and the problems tend to resolve themselves.
Pass this along to your friends trying to understand the movement, and perhaps open the minds a little of those who think it's okay if the rich keep getting richer.