"The widening gap between rich and poor"

The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. At least, that’s why I’ve always been told. But is it true? According to the Guinness World Records (2007 ed.):

Richest Person Ever
John D. Rockerfeller was worth $900 million in 1913, $189.6 billion in today’s terms (p124).

Remember, too, that we didn’t have a Federal income tax until 1913. And the top rate in 1913 was 7%, in contrast to 35% today.

Compared to Rockerfeller, Bill Gates is a shopping-cart lady.