http://www.businessinsider.com/15-charts-about-wealth-and-inequality-in-america-2010-4#now-read-16

Googling "rich get richer" yields a plethora of graphs and sources, I have cited only one. But that's not the point.

Extrapolating these numbers shows the US middle class disappearing, the remaining wealth concentrated in the hands of a very few wealthy folks, with the inevitable collapse of the economy and country. Which would be exactly as Marx and Engels predicted.

I doubt most of those who advocate a plutocracy prefer this form of government and economy. I know TB does, and he's extreme. I'm sure the majority of conservatives would not choose that if they had a choice. I'm curious to know what realistic dynamic is in the works which could prevent a plutocracy.

(There certainly are other stressors on our society. The rising numbers in the underclass, the financial weaknesses caused by the dwindling middle class, the wasted billions of military expenses, the ever-increasing role of drugs on the people and the culture, and more. And I don't see anything working to restore a balance.)

(There might be a way. The US could divert it's energies away from military expenditures and many welfare programs into medical care. The educational system could become geared toward medical careers and social programs could be dependent upon participation in educational or social programs. It would require determination and cooperation. This is an imperfectly developed idea, but certainly one deserving of consideration. It is used only as an illustration, and not the subject of this post.)