PBS' News Hour economic reporter Paul Solmon has a running commentary on the great recession called Making Sense wherein which he tries to interpret the trends and events of these trying times. Tonight, Professor Bob Lerman of American University took Solmon to task on his analysis of inequality in America. Simply put Lerman says that in any calculation of personal wealth Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare payments must be factored in. When that is done, the gap between the highest income Americans and the rest of us is much reduced.
Lerman makes a good point in his analysis but that raises a further question. The radical right in this country via the Congressional Tea Party Caucus wants to gut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid so wouldn't that in effect work to increase the levels of inequality in America? Well based on the logic behind Lerman's analysis it definitely would.
