An interesting post, but distilled down it sounds suspiciously like I'm paying protection money to keep the masses from sending me to the guillotine. Well, as long as we are clear on our social arrangements, I guess. Between mugging and protection money, I can see where I stand.

And yes, a vast number of wealthy people in this country started out middle class or poorer. Eighty percent of millionaires in America are first-generation rich. Some examples can be found among the people on this page.

This rubs people the wrong way who are convinced that the "System" is responsible for their lack of success, but it's still true.

The idea that environment decides one's future is an insult to every kid from a ghetto or other poverty condition who rose to make something of themselves. Education in our country is free through high school to anyone who shows up with a pulse. If that person decides that its better to be a gangbanger than learn math, why is that my fault? And for every poor kid who rises above his origins, I can also show you a rich and privileged kid who ends up in the gutter with an overdose.

And if you think the pendulum has swung too far--and I would say way over half the Federal budget being devoted to wealth redistribution is too far--what should we do to fix it?