Art,

The sample of countries from which you draw in making your case for income equality is very narrow, and overlooks the cultural homogeneity elephant in the room.  People who poll positively regarding the quality of life they enjoy are those who live with others just like themselves.  You see income equality, what do you think Japanese or Swedish people see?

The political pursuit of income equality has produced unprecedented misery in many places over the past century.  Without economic growth, how does government's rapidly accumulating debt ever begin to shrink?  How does the tide rise?  How do game changing new ideas and technology develop when no one can gather risk capital?

For example, do you think Canada would regularly rank high among the best places in the world to live if we didn't live next door to a thriving economic engine spawning world beating developments in health care, technology and entertainment, that we get to enjoy a day late and a dollar cheaper?