We've got some ideas on how to fix this, though, and save democratic capitalism for the next 250 years: patrioticmillionaires.org/perspectives...

We hate to say this, but the "American Dream" as we once knew it is long gone. Extreme wealth concentration doesn't allow for class mobility. How can anyone be expected to get ahead when their wages are stagnant? We ought to be willing to define how much is too much and tax the rich!

This week’s Closer Look explores the parallels between the classic film and the economy today.
patrioticmillionaires.org/perspectives...

And if you're interested in learning more about why paying people a living wage is in everyone's best interest, check out our book "Pay the People!" patrioticmillionaires.org/priorities/p...

It doesn't take being a millionaire to understand that paying people living wages is good for our society, our democracy, and our economy.

In fact, we have an economic agenda that says exactly that: patrioticmillionaires.org/wp-content/u...

Even Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell understands that paying people more is part of the solution here:

“We are going to need to have some years where real compensation is higher … for people to start feeling good about the affordability issue."

And those wage gains aren't evenly distributed:

Top earners saw a 4% wage gain last month.

Compare that to middle and low income household paycheck gains, which were just 2.3%. and 1.4%, respectively.

"American workers made an average of $36.86 an hour in November, up 3.5% over the past year, it’s barely enough to keep pace with the 3% annual gain in consumer prices. And it was the lowest annual paycheck growth that Americans have had since May 2021." www.cnn.com/2025/12/16/e...

And if you’re angry this holiday season that Toys “R” Us isn’t around anymore, you can point the finger at private equity.

Read this week's Closer Look to learn what private equity is, how it works, and why it hurts workers and communities.
patrioticmillionaires.org/perspectives...

Private equity owns hospitals, nursing homes, daycare centers, universities, food stores, pet stores, voting machine manufacturers, local newspapers, lumberyards, and even plumbing companies.