New study shows inequality between rich and poor growing in US

October 21, 2008
The gap between rich and poor is getting bigger in the world's richest countries -- and particularly the United States -- as top earners' incomes soar while others' stagnate, according to a 30-nation report released Tuesday.

In a 20-year study of its member countries, the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said wealthy households are not only widening the gap with the poor, but in countries such as the U.S., Canada and Germany they are also leaving middle-income earners further behind, with potentially ominous consequences if the global financial crisis sparks a long recession.

The United States has the highest inequality and poverty in the OECD after Mexico and Turkey, and the gap has increased rapidly since 2000, the report said. France, meanwhile, has seen inequalities fall in the past 20 years as poorer workers are better paid.

Also speaking at the report's presentation, Oxford University economist Anthony Atkinson noted that the widening inequality gap had coincided with a period of strong economic growth.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D93UU9980.htm

they are very good and maintaining a level playing field.

So what?. That was the plan all along. Still is for the republicans.

Sickening.