Has America become an oligarchy?

[JU_88]

Steve, with all due respect, I think you are missing the point.
Please re-read.

This 1 percent of American society now controls more than half of the country's stocks and securities. And while the middle class is once again grappling with a lost decade that failed to bring increases in income, the high earners in the financial industry have raked in sometimes breathtaking sums. For example, the average income for securities traders has steadily climbed to $360,000 a year.

Still, that's nothing compared to the trend in executives' salaries. In 1980, American CEOs earned 42 times more than the average employee. Today, that figure has skyrocketed to more than 300 times. Last year, 25 of the country's highest-paid CEOs earned more than their companies paid in taxes.

What this is highlighting is that although the quality of life has improved for the poorer people in developed countries over the course of the 20th century.
That progression is now in a decline. The tables are turning backwards and the gap between the wealth bands is once again widening. Not a problem?
Well if the trend continues yes it is, as prices and Interests rise, borrowing becomes harder, the lower and lower middle classes can begin to lose the quality of lives they have established as easily as they got them in the first place.

If you force employers to pay employees that kind of money they'll either have to hire fewer people or raise prices to cover it, and then the employees still can't afford them.

Not if the money comes out of Net profits, Salaries and Bonuses of unneccesarily grotesque proportions, of which there are evidently many when you look at the current statistics.
You just explained to me that you dont need up market dwellings, a flashy new car and smart phone to to be happy, so by the same logic why does anyone need a $2 million bonus for example?
The amount of money in the system has increased over the decades, but the vast majority of us have not seen very much of it at all, as it gets filtered in to the pockets of the elite.

The difference between a society able to earn enough money to live well and one which has to borrow is simple.
Economic Stability (or there lack of). And this this is not just about the money either, it is also largely about control.

Am I suggesting an income rebalance in line with socialism? No, I am suggesting balancing it back as it was around the 1970s & 80s (where it was more favorable towards the average joe. So yes it is do-able because we have done it before.

Also, with some plans they do indeed give you the phone for free, or for a greatly reduced price, so your is sorely misplaced.

Ok so when you sign up to this plan, you pay the network provider a monthly fee right, for a contracted 18-36 months? Isn't that what a plan is? so heres the question, what are you paying for each month?
Do you think Network providers are merrily making a loss on these 'free' handsets they are supposedly handing out? Although it maybe appears to be 'free' the way it is presented to the customer, I can assure you that you are indeed paying them for it though your plan.