1.What grabbed my interest the most was the idea that the top 1% owns approximately 40% to 50% of the nation’s wealth, more than the bottom 90% combined. I knew there was wealth inequality in America, but I had no idea it was so large. It made me question the belief that anyone can become wealthy simply by working very hard. Hard effort can help individuals improve their lives, but those born into wealthy families already have advantages like real estate, investment connections, and financial security.

2. One of the most significant effects of wealth inequality is that people do not have similar opportunities, even if they work equally hard. People with money can typically afford better housing, education, healthcare, and legal services. However, lower income households may have to pick between paying rent, buying groceries, and dealing with medical costs. I notice this most in New York City, where people might work long hours and still struggle to afford a small apartment. At the same time, luxury buildings continue to be developed for the wealthy. To me, this shows that the wealth gap is far more than just how much money someone has.