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Article:

5 Reasons to Care About America's Income Gap

How the Divide Between Rich & Poor Affects Us All

It's Harder to Get Ahead

Income inequality may also make it more difficult for those from low-earning backgrounds to move up into a higher income range, according to labor economist Alan Krueger, chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors. In a January 2012 presentation to the Center for American Progress, Krueger cited several studies that find a correlation between income inequality and lack of mobility between income levels. 

"Children of wealthy parents already have much more access to opportunities to succeed than children of poor families," Krueger said, "and this is likely to be increasingly the case in the future unless we take steps to ensure that all children have access to quality education, health care, a safe environment and other opportunities that are necessary to have a fair shot at economic success."

 

  • Sarah Shemkus

    Sarah Shemkus is an award-winning freelance journalist, marketing enthusiast, accomplished baker, occasional globetrotter and total nerd (with a particular fondness for spreadsheets). Most recently, she reported on business and real estate … Read more...