America’s poor subsidize wealthier consumers in a vicious income inequality cycle

Most explanations of income inequality focus on wages or tax law. But the different ways in which the poor and the rich pay for goods and services conceal a form of wealth redistribution that widens the divide. Affluent consumers use credit cards stuffed with rewards, while those at the other end of the income spectrum pay in cash that might come from payday loans or incur overdraft fees. In this thought-provoking article, researcher Aaron Klein offers insights on how skewed US payment systems bankroll benefits to the wealthy at the expense of the less well-off. getAbstract recommends it to financial professionals and those interested in a level financial playing field.