Chuck Collins - 99 to 1. How Wealth Inequality Is Wrecking the World and What We Can Do about It

Praise for 99 to 1

99 to 1 gives a fresh take on an old truth: Money is like manureit doesnt do any good unless you spread it around. Tip: Pay special attention to Chucks What can we do ideas. Read, absorb, and help spread the wealth!

Jim Hightower, national radio commentator and author of Swim Against the Current

Most businesses want a level playing field, which means terminating subsidies to the largest corporations, eliminating their use of tax havens, getting their money out of politics, and implementing other initiatives that will help create a vibrant and sustainable economy. Collinss proposals would boost enterprises that are rooted in our communities, create jobs, and protect the environment. Thats good business.

David Levine, Executive Director, American Sustainable Business Council

There is a wide and growing disparity in the access to wealth in this country and across the world. Chuck Collins makes a compelling case for how we can work togetherall 100 percent of usto increase economic opportunity for all Americans.

Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO, NAACP

Chuck Collins has delivered a powerful book on how the richest 1 percent have benefited from the sacrifices of working familiesand why its time to give back.

Richard Trumka, President, AFL-CIO

Chuck Collins succinctly sums up the history of how we got to the 99-versus-1 divide and provides sound solutions to restore the American Dream. Not only can these solutions bridge the wealth gap, but they can also heal some of our nations deepest wounds. Its the primer for the 99 percent movement to rebuild an economy that works for the 100 percent.

Van Jones, President, Rebuild the Dream, and author of The Green Collar Economy

So if youre rich, youre important; if youre not, youre worthless? Thats no basis for a democratic society. Inequality messes with your mind and with the planet. Read this book and help put it right.

Richard Wilkinson, coauthor of The Spirit Level

In this compelling and important book, Chuck Collins deftly exposes how the massive heist of national wealth by the richest 1 percent is wreaking havoc with our lives and devastating our world. Collins has been an intrepid advocate for greater equality for years, and he grasps the potential of the Occupy Wall Street movement to reverse the inequality death spiral. This is a passionate and powerful call to arms to save the planet from the clutches of the greedy few.

Linda McQuaig, coauthor of Billionaires Ball

Chuck Collins not only gives us the hard cold facts about inequality in America but also shares with us his gift for optimism. While he warns us that the hour is late to halt the downward spiral of inequality and environmental destruction, the power to make positive change still lies within us, waiting for the spark of renewal. With this remarkable book, Chuck is doing all that he can to rekindle that spark so that together we can fight for real change.

Les Leopold, author of The Looting of America

Chuck Collins concisely summarizes the data on income and wealth inequality and in a calm, clear voice reveals why inequality is increasing and what we must do to reverse it. If you are to read one thing this year about inequality and its impact on America, you must read this book. Its all here and very well done at that.

Barry Bluestone, Dean, School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University

This is the best popular economics book of 2012. Occupy your mind with Collinss barn burner. Youll understand why inequality has become Americas biggest crisis and why the Occupy Movement has captured the imagination of millions around the world. This riveting tale of America as two cities will stay with you for years to come andwatch out! It may rouse you to action on the solutions that Collins spells out with perfect precision.

Charles Derber, author of Corporation Nation and Greed to Green

99 TO 1

SELECTED PREVIOUS BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR

Economic Apartheid in America: A Primer on Economic Inequality and Insecurity (with Felice Yeskel)

Wealth and Our Commonwealth: Why America Should Tax Accumulated Fortunes (with Bill Gates Sr.)

Moral Measure of the Economy (with Mary Wright)

HOW WEALTH INEQUALITY IS
WRECKING THE WORLD AND WHAT
WE CAN DO ABOUT IT

CHUCK COLLINS
A publication of the
New Economy Working Group

99 to 1

Copyright2012 by Chuck Collins

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First Edition

Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-60994-592-3
PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-60994-593-0
IDPF e-book ISBN 978-1-60994-594-7

2012-1

BOOK PRODUCED BY: Westchester Book Group

COVER DESIGN: Morris Design

COVER ART: Moodboard / 123RF

INTERIOR ILLUSTRATION: Precision Graphics

COPYEDITOR: Sue Warga

INDEXER: Julie Grady

In celebration of Felice Yeskel, who planted the seeds but didnt live to see the fruit on the trees. May the light perpetual shine upon her.

For N., wonderful daughter, who will carry the torch for the next generation.

For M., muse, sage, and spark.

Several years ago, on the eve of the 2008 Great Recession, I had an argument with Chuck Collins about inequality. He had just launched a project called the Working Group on Extreme Inequality, with the goal of educating the public about the huge gaps in wealth and income that separate Americansa goal that I heartily shared. But my cynical question was, who cares? As Brookings Institution economist Carol Graham had stated that year, The only people who are bothered by inequality are rich liberals.