You raise interesting and important questions here. I studied English instead of anything in the social sciences and kind of regret it now — but I do know in terms of narrative, this is a new (old) way of doing things in America. In the postwar period, the gap between the richest and poorest was much smaller and people were willing to pay up to 75% at the highest tax rate. This is not a system that has evolved by accident, but one we’ve allowed to happen — starting in the 1980’s. On a deep level, is it the patriarchy reacting to greater social equality by imposing more financial hierarchy? Who needs all that money? A society that invests in childcare, education, healthcare and communities seems a much safer and more sustainable one. I moved to the UK 25 years ago and it was great being in a semi-socialist country. A lot of that has changed since austerity and I think we’re at a dividing moment. I hope we don’t follow America’s lead and I hope the US fights back — for the people.