In a world that produces more food, more wealth, and more luxury than at any point in human history, you’d think we’d be closer to solving inequality. Instead, we’ve perfected it.
The rich can’t get enough – of wealth, of influence, of tax breaks and loopholes. The poor, meanwhile, simply don’t get enough – not enough food, not enough housing, not enough opportunity. And increasingly, not enough hope.
This isn’t just a crisis. It’s a system functioning exactly as designed.
According to Oxfam, the richest 1% of the world’s population grabbed nearly two-thirds of all new wealth created since 2020. That’s nearly twice as much as the bottom 99% combined.
While billionaires blast themselves into space for fun, hundreds of millions still don’t have access to clean drinking water. CEOs celebrate record profits while their employees queue at food banks. In the U.S., tech giants lay off thousands after posting billion-dollar quarterly earnings. In Australia, some of the biggest corporations pay zero tax – legally.
We’re told this is success. That it’s the reward for risk, for innovation, for hard work. But it’s not hard work keeping the profits. It’s hard work living on a minimum wage. It’s hard work choosing between rent and groceries. It’s hard work being poor in a system that blames you for it.
Across much of the world – and especially in the West – the answer to poverty is always the same: “Just work harder.” Never mind that full-time work no longer guarantees a living wage. Never mind that rent has skyrocketed, energy prices are breaking household budgets, and healthcare in many countries is still a privilege, not a right.
Here in Australia, pensioners and those on JobSeeker are still living below the poverty line, even as politicians vote themselves pay rises and media moguls demand more tax cuts. Entire generations are locked out of home ownership while investors snap up properties and raise rents with impunity.
We were once promised that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” But somewhere along the way, the rich bought yachts – and the poor were handed inflatable armbands.
As the climate crisis deepens, as conflicts displace millions, and as global health systems strain under pressure, one group continues to do just fine: the ultra-wealthy.
Their gains aren’t accidental. They’re structural. Enabled by lobbying, protected by loopholes, and justified by a culture that equates wealth with virtue.
Meanwhile, public services are slashed. Social safety nets are fraying. The most vulnerable are being asked to tighten their belts – while billionaires loosen theirs for another course.
Inequality isn’t just economic – it’s a narrative. While media outlets rage about welfare cheats and “lazy” renters, they rarely point fingers at tax avoidance by multinational giants or billionaires stashing fortunes in offshore accounts.
Much of the media, owned by the very few who benefit most from the current system, shifts public anger downward instead of upward. They defend “aspiration” while ignoring desperation. They celebrate record-breaking stock markets while thousands of renters face eviction.
You wonder if it’s by accident or by design.
What Happens When Enough Is Never Enough?
There comes a point when inequality stops being an economic issue and becomes a moral one. And then a political one. And eventually, a crisis.
History tells us what happens when too much is hoarded by too few for too long. It breeds resentment, instability, and rage. Not because people envy wealth, but because they despair at injustice.
“The rich can’t get enough. The poor don’t get enough.”
It’s not jealousy. It’s not class warfare. It’s the simple observation of a world that rewards accumulation over compassion, profit over people.
But this isn’t inevitable. Systems can change. Priorities can shift. Governments can choose fairness over favouritism. The question isn’t whether we can afford to change.
It’s whether we can afford not to.
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How true. There is enough for the poor, never enough for the rich.
The gross and sickeningly extravagant display of wealth and power shown in Venice in recent days is testament to the view that there seems to becoming distinct levels of society. The billionaires and the rest of us at various levels beneath this stratospheric level of wealth.
Trump’s ‘ Big Beautiful Bill’ will further divide society in the USA as it rewards and gives more to the already rich and cuts medical care and other help from many. All these mega rich also – claim to be religious believers- should be reminded of Matthew19:24, Mark10:25 and Luke 18:25. Camel and needle things!
Of course there isn’t one ounce of religious conviction or behaviour in any of them. Venal , greedy and weirdly adapted , plastic people, absurdly rich , flaunting their wealth. It can’t end well can it?
Keep up the great work On Social Justice , Micheal , You are an absolute Champion for this cause ,something that im really passionate about .
I might try pen the song for – The rich cant get enough ,the poor dont get enough ,, A loud hard rocking Anthem, protest Song , to drive the message home LOUD N CLEAR !! .
I wrote a song , simply put , Working for the Dole , But i couldnt find any one to help me put it down in a studio , ( Money Constraints to offer them ) what a shame I had the riff and melody as well ..Bugger ,,,
Im inspired by your continued theme of INEQUALITY !!!!!!….
( Greed Disease is a Panademic of which there is no Cure, Unless, they Repent from their Lust for Money N Power and Greedy SINS , They will all give an Account to the ALMIGHTY One Day – JUDGEMENT DAY !!! )
Kind regards From Jano ..God Bless you .
More Voices of this calibre would be much appreciated .( Micheal for Prime Minister !!!)
From Struggle Street …
Thank you, Jano. You have made my day. It is people like you who keep me motivated. Inspired, even.
I’m a fellow songwriter, btw. Or I should say ex-songwriter. Since an injury to my left hand many years ago I can no longer play the guitar or piano. At 16 I had an agent who found a group who wanted one of my songs but it fell through when their sponsor died.
Michael ,, Thanks for reaching out ,it was very courteous of you ,I am a no body ,No degree’s in any thing ,( Just the school of Hard Knocks) I come from a poor and divorced , Low socio economic back ground and grew up seeing the disadvantage first hand all around me and experiecing it First Hand , IM still experiencing it as we speak ,Im on a DISABILITY SuPPORT PENSION ,My HEARING ,,
I was born with hearing weakness in both ears- Severe to Profound ,
70s and 80s Hard rock N heavy metal pushed it to the razors Edge Zone, Drums was my passion ,then i got into Guitar and in the last 15 years, I got into Lyrics ,But it all means nothing ,cause, i cant play any more because of my Hearing etc ….
So i relate to your musical Injury and U can no longer play etc .
But, you have a well learned and studied knack and knowledege of stats and figures on Social Justice and it more then makes up for your Musical deprivation ,your educational background is impressive ,
Again , Im just a nobody who longs to be a Voice in the Choir of Social Justice ..!
If you want to leave an Email some time to touch Base, that would be great Michael ..
Cheers from Jano in Wollongong ,, Thank you and ( keep On – keeping On with Social Justice ) Amen ,
Hi, Jano. Our email address here is admin@theaimn.com
You are most welcome to contact me.
Michael, as always a reasoned piece with some of the starkest statistics supporting the issue of unfairness. Australia is described regularly as a wealthy country with a supposedly high average earning but as some of us know, though it’s rarely acknowledged, such statistics are distorted by the obscene incomes of the really wealthy. As you so succinctly point out, the wealth isn’t shared. It is beyond my comprehension that we have anyone living in poverty today. Given the huge majority it commands a genuine Labor government with the welfare of all its people at heart would reconsider subsidies to the companies which pay little to no tax, would demand a share of the profits they make, would close tax avoidance loopholes and find ways to get more tax that don’t involve increasing income tax or the GST. Then, maybe, it could give pensioners, jobseekers and other low income people a living wage. I note this week that politicians are getting a pay rise of 2.4% while my very modest ComSuper pension will go up by 1.2% ( and result in a reduction in part pensions of both my wife and myself). The government giveth with one hand and taketh away with the other. That is, when it gives at all.