The Declaration of Independence begins: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
This is one of the greatest sentences ever written. Unfortunately, we are still trying to live it out. Human beings have a strong tendency toward tribalism and division rather than unity and equality.
The rich have always oppressed the poor. They have long sought to control and limit the power of others. Across history, wealth has often shaped politics and concentrated influence in very few hands.
At times, that power has been checked. At other times, it has not. Today, money still exerts enormous influence over elections and public life, and the struggle over equality remains unresolved.
The rich cannot be good, and the good cannot be rich. Class conflict has existed since the beginning of civilization. The question is not whether power will be abused, but whether it will be restrained.
