1.The statistic that made the biggest impression on me was “the top 1 percent of Americans own between 40 and 50 percent of the nation’s total wealth, which is more than the combined wealth of the bottom 90 percent.” That number really make me feel amazing. I knew there was inequality in the U.S., but I did not realize the gap was that extreme. It means a very small group of people controls almost half of all the wealth in the country. Another statistic that stood out to me was “the real income of the bottom 90 percent actually fell while the income of the top group increased dramatically over the last few decades.” This shows that economic growth does not benefit everyone equally. It makes me question the idea that if the economy grows, everyone’s life automatically improves.

2. First, it affects access to basic needs like housing, healthcare, and education. When wealth is concentrated at the top, many working people struggle even if they have full-time jobs. For example, the article show that many families below the poverty line actually have someone who works full-time. This shows that having a job does not guarantee financial security anymore. We can clearly see this dynamic in everyday life. In New York, luxury apartments are being built everywhere, but at the same time, many people cannot afford rent and some even become homeless. Also, student debt is another problem. Many students have to borrow large amounts of money just to get an education. After they graduate, they will repay more money. Furthermore, the healthcare, some people can afford high-quality private medical care, while others avoid going to the doctor because they cannot pay. In my opinion, when people feel that the system is unfair, they may lose trust, and don’t want to work more.