The “Rich Get Richer” Myth

by | Jun 4, 2023

Some 94 percent of Americans who reach “top 1 percent” income status will enjoy it for only a single year. Approximately 99 percent will lose their “top 1 percent” status within a decade.

Now consider the top 400 U.S. income-earners—a far more exclusive club than the top 1 percent. Between 1992 and 2013, 72 percent of the top 400 retained that title for no more than a year. Over 97 percent retained it for no more than a decade.

– Chelsea Follett, High Turnover Among America’s Rich

About Keith Knight

Keith Knight is Managing Editor at the Libertarian Institute, host of the Don't Tread on Anyone podcast and editor of The Voluntaryist Handbook: A Collection of Essays, Excerpts, and Quotes.

Our Books

latest book lineup.

Related Articles

Related

The Waco Tragedy

Last year, I sat down with author David Hardy and filmmaker Dan Gifford for a 13-hour in-depth review of the ATF, FBI and US Army's slaughter of the Branch Davidians of Waco, Texas on this day in 1993. Also feat. James Tabor, Paul Fatta, David Thibodeau, Jim Bovard,...

read more

TSA Gets a Raise

Are you bummed because inflation's got you again with your broke ass? Well take heart. Federal Government employees are doing better than ever at your expense. So at least they've got that going for them.

read more

Lexington and Concord: The Fire Begins

The divorce proceedings between London and America began on this day in 1775, 249 years ago. In Episode 011 of my podcast, I did a historical memorium to the events at Lexington and Concord. In honor of this day, give it a listen.

read more