Unequal pay, education drive wealth gap: #tellusatoday

The world's richest 1% will control over 50% of total global wealth by 2016, according to anti-poverty charity Oxfam. The findings prompted a debate on inequality in the USA. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

I don't see this as the rich vs. everyone else. It's a signal that our markets are not performing efficiently.

Capitalism is supposed to be the best economic system in the world to provide opportunity to all and raise incomes.

It did a phenomenal job in the United States until about the 1970s.

— Christopher Daly

The U.S. is caught in a vicious circle: Rising income inequality breeds more inequality in educational opportunity and attainment. That, in turn, translates into a less educated workforce, and even greater income inequality.

The wealthy also often manage to shield much of their income from taxes. It's a structural problem!

— Marc Laurent

The government could help provide more of a safety net and ways to help the poor get employment. It should also allow companies to operate in the U.S. without getting taxed to death. However, companies need to be well regulated because of corporate greed and exploitation of American workers.

— Larry Yarbrough

If only we could help people understand that the rich having money doesn't keep others from making money themselves.

The "rich vs. poor" flame is distracting and non-productive.

The "rich" are not the enemy. The enemy is anyone who pits you against the rich.

— Dave Melges

So many people believe that they will one day be part of the 1%, and so they vote for the best interests of the wealthy, not their own.

The wealthy are very thankful for your support but really think you are chumps. They always support their best interests, not yours.

— Steve Evets

Invest in education, innovation

We asked our Twitter followers what can be done to close the income gap. Comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

The answer is literally to close the income gap: Executives shouldn't be paid so much more than those at the bottom.

— @DaBadNewz

Invest in public education, capital improvements and infrastructure. Full-time workers should not be in poverty.

— @PlumbbobGreen

Tax the rich more to favor lower-middle classes.

— @lavriple

Reward innovation so that American workers can be involved in building new businesses and avenues of income/careers.

— @Lennymcallister

For more of the conversation, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday on Twitter.