Is wealth inequality a bad thing?

yes gtfo i guess you COOULLLDD argue its the only way a modern society could function properly but youd be a heartless most likely upper class asshole

Depends. Wealth inequality helps capitalism and its growth. BUT that wealth needs to circulate in order for capitalism to keep on its feet. And when you have say, 1% of a nation's population holding most the wealth in the country, and not paying their god damn taxes, then that money isn't circulating. Then the housing market collapses, the public infrastructure starts to crumble because the small businesses don't have enough to pay their employees a good wage, which means the government can't make as much on taxes, and suddenly you have the capitalist equivalent of a feudal society with a king who has to adhere to the wealthy barons who hold all the wealth, and do NOT hold the interests of the common men and women working their fiefs. And when THAT happens, the common people jump onto the band wagon of whoever does represent them. Say back then, the church. Now adays, an orange oompa loompa who's ruled by his own narcissism, blows up on twitter when someone says he has small hands, and doesn't read any of the bills he signs. This by the way is oversimplified in many respects, But I am an armchair sociologist who's primary focus is on high medieval society, not an economist.

Wealth nowadays is way too tilted to the top 1%. Our economy was a lot stronger when the wealth was more evenly distributed on a wealth curve. For years we have been drifting away from a democracy and turning into an oligarchy. The most powerful nations today have an oligarchy such as China and Russia, but I don't think that's what America should be. The average american citizen has been too complacent with giving up power to the business elite. To think, if we all rioted together, we could change our government overnight, but alas, we are like sheep being herded by wolves.

Only idealist believs we can all share everything 100%. Someone always comes out on top, especially in Capitalism, where winners and losers are picked everyday. That's not necessarily a problem until all the cards are in favor of the rich getting richer and poor getting poorer. The US's safety nets only make sure there is something available for the poor to somewhat manage, not overcome their issues. Minimum wage jobs aren't nearly enough for the poor to live on, and most are forced to resort to social security, medicaid, etc, to make up the additional living expenses. My roommate right now is working 50 hours a week without using social security or medicaid, and his finances are on life support. People shouldn't bust their asses that hard and have next to nothing. That's my belief anyways.

i know its not REALLY a bad thing, im just a bleeding heart a doctor should make more then a janitor but in this country the wealth distribution has never been worse with college costing so much this system keeps poor people poor and the rich, rich