I like your line of thinking. Particularly your sound logic line.<p>To answer, that depends entirely on how you depend poor or rich. And to who you are comparing.<p>Within the United States the median household income is $50,000. Average household income is $69,000. If someone makes more than mean&#x2F;median and they receive a raise than is an increase in inequality.<p>There&#x27;s hardly a US based programmer on HN that doesn&#x27;t qualify as rich and strive to increase inequality by seeking career growth and raises. I don&#x27;t think that&#x27;s a bad thing. I would be such a programmer.