The rise in inequality is the product of a vicious spiral: the rich rent-seekers use their wealth to shape legislation in order to protect and increase their wealth – and their influence. The US Supreme Court, in its notorious Citizens United decision, has given corporations free rein to use their money to influence the direction of politics.
不平等情况的恶化是一个恶性循环的结果：富有的寻租者用他们的财富左右立法，以保护和增加他们的财富以及势力。美国最高法院在其臭名昭著的公民联合会（Citizens United）判决中授予公司随心所欲地使用手里的金钱影响政治动向的权利。但是，富人可以动用手里的金钱来放大自己的声音，可警察却不允许我在街上用高音喇叭宣扬“占领华尔街”抗议者的口号。