I recently discovered this infographic on income inequality in America. While I don't care much for the ominous music in the background, it is helpful to visualize the scale of what the 1% actually means.
I had the opportunity to discuss this with a group of leaders from Central America in Guatemala recently, and this video, combined with Joseph Stiglitz' piece in Vanity Fair on the 1% made for a very interesting and rich discussion.
One interesting implication of the increasing income stratification is that as the wealthy opt out of the public systems of education, health care and security the contribute to a cycle that reinforces underinvestment, lack of accountability, and further withdrawal. And it does not appear this is a cycle that is capable of self-correcting. Food for thought.