related listening/reading: http://www.marketplace.org/topics/world/davos-world-economic... From there: It would be much more humorous if it weren't so horrifying. It is indeed a vicious cycle and I'm not sure how one would propose to break it, especially since money is so closely tied to politics. I doubt there will ever be reforms or political change to combat this problem since those who have the money to affect politics are only going to be quickening the cycle. Some huge disaster? Aliens? Some outside force that makes every one - rich, poor, white, black, etc - come together as humans? Unfortunately, that's the only thing I can imagine."One of the big themes this year is – I kid you not – income inequality," points out John Reeves of The Motley Fool financial services group. "It’s ironical: Income inequality is the theme, and you’ve got to pay $40,000 to go there and weigh in."