Movie Review: Inequality for All by Robert Reich

Student’s Name
Instructor’s Name
Course
Date
Movie Review: Inequality for All by Robert Reich
Question 1
The one percent of the Americans has deep pocketed the wealth leaving the other percentage working hard for the rest. The inequality gap can be reduced by increasing the minimum wage of workers. Reich illustrates what the minimum wage per hour should be. He stipulates that if we took the wage of year 1968 and kept it constant adjacent for inflation, then it would be 10.50 dollars per hour. If adjusted to productivity then it would be close to 15 dollars. This is a much higher figure to the present minimum wage of 7.25 dollars per hour. A precious few, however, get to enjoy the advantage of having economic power through the carry-interest loophole that allows private equity managers to treat their income as capital gains and, therefore, qualify for a much lower level of taxation even without undergoing a risk or investing their own penny. This causes the treasury about 12-15 billion dollars per year money, which could be used to expand extended unemployment insurance for the long-term unemployed persons with no income at all. An increase in the minimum wage to 10.10 per hour would raise many people out poverty. There is a threat on the economy and democracy due to lack of union representation for workers, political interference and the American companies becoming global companies, doing most of their sales abroad. This leaves the average worker without the structure around him to advance for better jobs, better working conditions and job security.
Question 2
The movie aims at explaining in depth, the widening inequality in wealth, income, and distribution of resources and how this inequality affects every individual. People get to understand when inequality becomes intolerable. They are educated on the causes of inequality in order to have intelligent discussions on the issue and come up with proper solutions. Reich shares his ideas on how this problem can be controlled through a political movement of shared prosperity attained through achievement of an economy that works for everyone and democracy that is functioning. Overcoming the widening inequality would include increasing the minimum wage and earned income tax credit, getting rid of tax loopholes, and controlling the Wall Street. It also entails ensuring affordable education and allowing low-waged labor unions to function and represent the workers to bargain for better wages.
Question 3
Reich believes that there is a direct coloration between a dysfunctional democracy and the widening inequality. This is because political power rises to the top when wealth rises to the top. The middle class is the heart of consumer spending, which is 70% of the America’s economy. It is therefore important to ensure a vibrant, growing middle class to ensure a sustainable economy. Reich takes a close look at the peak years of 1928 and 2007 for income concen...