For Top 400 U.S. Taxpayers, a Near-Record Year

America’s super rich, new IRS income data show, partied on right through the depth of the Great Recession. And they shared precious little of their good fortune with Uncle Sam.

Inequality’s Impact: A New Debate Opens

If the wealth of the wealthy really bothered Americans, flacks for grand fortune enjoy declaring, our political system would be shaking something fierce. They don’t see a whole lot of shaking. Should we? Read more . . .

America’s Greediest: The 2010 Top Ten

They came, they saw, they took it all. Welcome to the world where thieves have no honor and those most honored — with lavish rewards — hone their talents hammering the rest of us.

A USA Cheer for the 21st Century: ‘We’re Number 12!’

How much does inequality cost us? The United States holds far more wealth than any other nation in the world. Yet average people in 11 other countries, says landmark new UN research, are enjoying a higher standard of living than Americans.

The Difference More Global Equality Could Make

Despite our current global economic hard times, says a new study from banking giant Credit Suisse, the world has more than enough wealth to ensure every adult on it a significant personal net-worth nest egg.

How Billionaires Could Race to Our Rescue

A modest tax on all U.S. personal fortunes over $1 billion could raise more than enough revenue from the Forbes 400 alone to erase the combined budget shortfalls of every state in the nation.

One Decade Down, One Decade Wasted

The 21st century has opened with ten years that have seen the vast majority of Americans go backward economically. Just-released Census stats tell that tale — but not the whole income story. Read more . . .

America’s Top Incomes: Down But Certainly Not Out

New data — for 2008 — have revealed a shrinking gap between the rich and the rest of us. But the nation’s top high-income tracker isn’t celebrating. And neither should we.

Wall Street’s Meltdown and Wealth’s Maldistribution

The Great Recession, new research shows, has left wealth in the United States even more concentrated at America’s economic summit.

Census Time for Billionaires

The world’s super-duper rich, in the new Forbes magazine count, total just over 1,000 — and hold more wealth than half of humanity.