Degree of Class Inequality

1) How would you describe the degree of inequality present in American society today? How much social inequality do you think is acceptable (e.g., none, some, leave things as they are)? How much social inequality do you think is ideal?

2) In the writings Fischer et al. as well as in the documentary, Inequality For All, we have read/heard descriptions of social policies that helped build and strengthen the middle class. (Think for example about the housing policies 1935-80 that made housing affordable or funding for higher education that quadrupled the number of college graduates between 1945 and 1970). Do you think the government should renew efforts to keep housing and higher education affordable to the middle and working classes? If so, how?

3) Have the readings changed your understanding of economic inequality in the US? If so, how? Do you think most Americans are aware of the concentration of wealth at the top of the class structure? Do you think wider dissemination of this information would affect how most Americans understand their own economic position?

4) Do you think economic inequality has personally affected you or your family? If so, how?