This chart shows income inequality over a period of 90 years. In the first three decades, wealth was concentrated at the top. During the postwar years wealth became more evenly distributed. During that time, taxes were high, unions were strong, "safety net" programs were well maintained, and the minimum wage was high. Starting in the early eighties, when tax rates were dropped precipitously, income inequality began to increase again. Unions were made weaker through "right-to-work" laws, the minimum wage failed to keep up with the cost of living, and the war on poverty became a war on the poor.
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