There’s no doubt that income inequality is finally getting the attention it deserves.  President Barack Obama assailed it in his second inaugural address saying we can’t succeed “When a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it.” Ben Bernanke decried inequality for “creating two societies.” Pope Francis famously tweeted his opinion.  Even Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein called for “some redistribution” to create a stable and just society. But for all the talk, not much is happening.  Why is that?

It turns out that the solutions to income inequality are difficult and rather long-term.  There are also signs that the population really doesn’t care yet, meaning there is no pressure on our leadership.  But there are a few things that we can do to start improving income distribution and create genuine opportunity today.

It’s a Barataria tradition to not complain without offering solutions.  Don’t like these?  Please suggest your own!

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Employment opportunities for those ages 20-24 are worse than the general economy and not improving as rapidly.  So are they going to college instead?  The answer, apparently, is that they are not according to the latest figures.  College enrollment is down slightly – and graduation rates within a 6-year time frame have ebbed to a new low, 59% of those who started in 2006.  Graduation rates are improving at 2-year institutions such as community colleges and tech schools has increased from 21% to 37%, suggesting students are more serious, but are still pitifully low.

The problem for the young is much bigger than reduced employment opportunities today – it also includes reduced achievement in higher education which implies reduced opportunities tomorrow.  This is part of a growing backlash against the “Educational Industrial Complex” that encourages debt but is unable to payoff with job opportunities.  Will that backlash grow into a generational revolt?

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