From this week's Economist:
"[Economic] inequality is not inherently wrong- as long as three condidtions are met: first, society as a whole is getting richer; second, there is a safety net for the very poor; and third, everybody, regardless of class, race, creed or sex, has an opportunity to climb up through the system...
This is not to let the United States off the hook when it comes to social mobility. Although the United States is seen as a world of opportunity, the reality may be different. Some studies have shown that it is easier for poorer children to rise through society in many European countries than in America... Only 3% of students at top colleges come from the poorest quarter of the population. "
We are cutting federal spending on Medicare, our transportation infrastructure, public broadcasting, and welfare among many, many other worthwhile areas that the American people have determined to be important.
At the same time we are increasing spending (a total of $466b this year) on our military, including many weapons we'll never use. The next closest nation is $65b.
What does this say about our priorities?