You said it, Greg Jayne: “Inequity real risk to capitalism” (The Columbian, June 13). And it’s also a real risk to democracy. Justice Brandeis said that best: “We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both.”
Today, the scales are tipped too far; not only are some people able to accumulate obscene amounts of wealth, this is occurring while the majority of Americans are struggling — in fact, some have been slipping backwards. What kind of system, and what kind of philosophy or theology, would support this dysfunctional imbalance?
As Jayne points out, this is the “system” our youth are confronting as they start their journey on the path of the American dream. The system does not support them, and their political clout to change it pales in contrast with that of the super rich. At least a few of the super rich, like Warren Buffet, realize how privileged they are and recommend raising taxes on the wealthy. If only they all had a conscience like this. Looks like the “have nots” are going to have to lead the way to save both capitalism and democracy.
