Is inequality growing? In a magical land inhabited by long lashed, multi-colored Alpacas who love lollipops, rainbows and friendship, there's a yawning divide in wealth distribution ... what's behind the inequality gap?
Directed by Adam McKay
Cast
(in alphabetical order)
Lollipop: Billy Eichner
Sunshine: Amy Poehler
Manager: Andy Richter
Giggles: Maya Rudolph
Happy: Sarah Silverman
Written by Adam Davidson and Adam McKay
Produced by Robyn Wholey
Executive Producers: Betsy Koch and Anna Wenger
Music by Orr Rebhun; Erica Weis
Sound Design by George Anderson and Tammy Fearing
Animation Produced by Six Point Harness
Executive in Charge of Production: Brendan Burch and Dave Vamos
ADAM McKAY is an American screenwriter, director, comedian and actor. Formerly the head writer at “Saturday Night Live,” McKay has a comedy partnership with Will Ferrell, with whom he co-wrote the films “Anchorman,” “Talladega Nights,” and “The Other Guys.” Ferrell and McKay also founded their comedy website, Funny or Die, through their production company, Gary Sanchez Productions.
McKay is currently working on Marvel’s “Ant-Man” and a feature-film adaptation of Michael Lewis’ “The Big Short.”
Director's Note
“At least a dozen times as an adult I've found myself saying ‘Why the hell didn't we have an economics and finance class in high school?’ Whether it was being ripped off on credit card rates or not knowing my rights when it came to paying back student loans or even what the Federal Reserve is, I've always marveled at how the one subject we all should know, economics, is the subject most of us are completely illiterate about.
Through the years I've read a dozen or so books, watched all the documentaries and asked a fair amount of questions. And as I learned the rudimentary basics of macro and micro economics I was amazed at how simple the world actually is once you penetrate the language and jargon. But still, most people act as though advance degrees and tweed jackets are required to even discuss compound interest. Or worse yet, most people treat the subject as a complete bore. But as a fan of pop culture I know there's nothing boring about the economy, who runs it and who profits from it. In fact, it's the juiciest subject there is. So when I heard about the WTE project and the fact that Morgan Spurlock was curating it, I knew I was in. I truly hope it's the beginning of a movement to popularize economics. Lord knows our country needs it.”
Quiz
Is income inequality higher, lower, or about the same in the U.S. as it was in the 1970s?
17%Lower
10%About the same
68%Higher
4%None of these
68% of respondents chose the correct answer:
Higher.
Income inequality refers to the extent to which income is distributed in an uneven
manner among a population. In the U.S., income inequality, or the gap between the rich and everyone else, has
been growing markedly, by every major statistical measure, for some 30 years.
Which of the following government policies is most likely to increase wealth inequality in America?
24%Increase tax rates on investment income
12%Increase social welfare benefits
7%Make it easier to form labor unions
56%Cut or eliminate the tax on inherited estates
56% of respondents chose the correct answer: Cut or eliminate the
tax on inherited estates.
According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, raising the estate tax
by just 10% could produce more than $250 billion in added revenue over the next ten years. Imagine how much
wealthier the wealthy would become if we continue to cut or eliminated the tax on inheritance.
In the U.S., how much does a family need to earn to be in the top 1% of income?
10%About $100,000 a year
56%About $1.3 million a year
19%About $400,000 a year
14%About $200,000 a year
56% of respondents chose the correct answer: About $1.3 million a
year.
If you are in the top 1% of our nation’s wealth and or income group, you would earn over
$1.3 million, versus the top 20% earning a mere $226,000.
Twitter
Does education produce greater equality or inequality in society? #help
@AyeCrystal_
You know what stops income inequality? Consistent economic growth.
@ollieblog
What would you do to solve inequality?
@BackBenchesTV
Question posed on #Can2020 panel: How is today's income inequality calcifying into tomorrow's wealth inequality?
@jk_austin
"Income inequality is the defining issue of our times." In part b/c families, jobs have changed. Result? Our cities need to change. #Can2020
@jen_keesmaat
Did you know?
A middle-income American family makes about $2,000 less per year today, in inflation-adjusted terms, than it did in 2000.
In the 1980s, CEOs made 46 times what an average worker made. Today that disparity has risen to 331 times as high.
Income and wealth inequality were high in the late 19th and early 20th century, but shrank after World Wars I and II.
