COVID-aires
Critical Analysis
By what percent has Elon Musk’s wealth grown during the time of the pandemic, between March and November of this year?
Overall, by how many dollars has the wealth of all 650 U.S. billionaires grown between March and November of this year?
Why do you think these people have gained so much wealth?
In general, how have most Americans been economically impacted by the coronavirus pandemic?
U.S. billionaires own $4 trillion, 3.5 percent of all privately held wealth in the country, now twice the amount of wealth held by the bottom 50 percent of all American households combined, approximately 160 million people. Explain how that wealth disparity impacts American politics.
Don’t share your answer, but in general how has your life been economically impacted by the pandemic?
Explain how a libertarian and a socialist would react to this growth of the wealthiest Americans’ wealth?
Let’s say a new president wanted to do something to to limit the growing wealth gap. Describe one policy they could pursue.
In September, the Center for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services established a temporary national eviction moratorium. How could other branches of the U.S. government check or limit this power.
Nearly 19 million Americans are at risk of eviction when the national eviction moratorium expires at the end of the year. Do you think that the government should step in to reenact eviction moratoriums?
Learning Extension
Read the inequality.org report on the growth of the wealth of the richest Americans during the pandemic or just browse their google sheet spreadsheet of the richest Americans and see if you know anyone on the list.
Action Extension
Contact your congressperson and tell them what you think about the national eviction moratorium.
