the reason the income gap is widening is simple: the days of easy money are over (at least for now). remember 1997-2000, when any dumbass with an AA degree from heald institute of technology could land a $65k job as a "web designer"? or 2004-2007 when any moron who could turn hold a hammer could make a $60k year in construction? or when a dipstick who studied Art History could make $100k as a mortgage broker or R/E agent? THOSE DAYS ARE OVER Nowadays, capital isn't as abundant as before, so it actually takes smarts, brainpower, and marketable skills to earn a good living. that's something a large proportion of the workforce lacks, and it shows up in the growing lower-class.