OECD Study: Income Inequality Curbs Economic Growth. Costs U.S. Economy 7 Points in GDP Growth

Remind me again, why is it that international organizations like the OECD have to remind us of this, while our own Democratic Party doesn't say a word about it?

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30390232

In the UK, rising inequality cost the economy almost nine percentage points of GDP growth between 1990 and 2010, the think tank said.

The US lost almost seven points.

The OECD also found that redistribution of wealth via taxes and benefits does not hamper economic growth.

Countries that promote equal opportunity for all from an early age are those that will grow and prosper.

Well, we know THAT part is true FROM EXPERIENCE. The U.S. Economy grew at the fastest rates when we had a high top tax rate, and nominal redistribution of wealth from the top to the bottom (ie-from 1933-1981). The economy only flatlined (for regular people) after Reaganomics and the dumbass Laffer Curve.

A lack of investment in education was the key factor behind rising inequality, the OECD said.

Fewer educational opportunities for disadvantaged individuals had the effect of "lowering social mobility and hampering skills development," the report warned.

One of the obvious reasons for the conservatives' relentless attack on the Department of Education, despite it's budget being PEANUTS compared to Defense, and agriculture.