#1764 Wealth Inequality is Bad for Society and There's No Good Counterargument
Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
Political consequences of ignoring wealth distribution
Commentators warn that governments who avoid taxing the rich lose capacity, eroding democracy and public services.
Air Date: 1/14/2026
Being a bad person who doesn't care about others is helpful in one's pursuit of becoming wealthy. However, becoming wealthy is also helpful in becoming a bad person who doesn't care about others, not that anyone sets out with this as a goal but it is a natural byproduct of wealth and the normal functioning of our market economy. What this means is that the nature of money, market dynamics, and wealth to corrode morality is a systemic problem, not a collection of individual failings, and should be addressed as such.
Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!
In honor of our 20th birthday, we're giving new Members 20% OFF FOR THE LIFETIME OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP...this includes Gift Memberships! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)
Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!
KEY POINTS
KP 1: The Truth About Income Inequality No One Told You - UNFTR Media - Air Date 7-21-25
KP 4: The Capitalist Mindset - The Market Exit - Air Date 12-9-25
KP 5: How Power Corrupts Part 1 - The Art of Manliness - Air Date 4-6-22
KP 6: Where Are Americas Leaders? - Robert Reich and Inequality Media Civic Action - Air Date 1-6-26
KP 7: Why WORKERS Should OWN Companies - The Market Exit - Air Date 4-30-25
(00:48:50) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
On all the reasons we need to squash wealth inequality
DEEPER DIVES
(01:02:59) SECTION A: THE EFFECTS OF WEALTH INEQUALITY
A2: The Shocking Truth About Wealth Inequality in America - Established Context - Air Date 2-22-2025
A3: How Wealth Corrupts Democracy with Christy McGillivray - Head in the Office - Air Date 10-24-25
A4: How Power Corrupts Part 2 - The Art of Manliness - Air Date 4-6-22
A5: UK Budget - The End of Democracy? Part 1 - Garys Economics - Air Date 11-23-25
(01:42:01) SECTION B: THE MINDSET OF THE RICH & POWERFUL
B1: RESOURCE WARS and the Economics of Scarcity with Richard D Wolff - Jacobin - Air Date 9-4-24
B2: Tax Is Not Theft: Why the "It's My Money" Argument Is Wrong - Richard J Murphy - Air Date 12-18-25
B4: The Fraud Behind Our 'Thought Leaders' - The Chris Hedges YouTube Channel - Air Date 1-5-26
(02:18:09) SECTION C: TAX THE RICH
C2: UK Budget - The End of Democracy? Part 2 - Garys Economics - Air Date 11-23-25
SHOW IMAGE CREDITS
Description: A horizontally split image of two photos: on top, an extravagant yacht sailing at sunset. On bottom, an open wallet with some $1 bills inside and some coins spilling out.
Credit: Internal composite design. Images: "Wallet" and "yacht" via Pixabay | Pixabay license
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!
Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
The AI-powered Podcast Player
