So, let's go back to the original question: How does an unbalanced concentration of wealth occur in a "free" society like the capitalistic United States? Rather than give you my opinion, I ask you to think about the following questions.
Critical Questions :
1. How in a free society like the U.S., can a small group of people continually control so much of the wealth?
2. Do you think if the people with the wealth, controlled the media, public school systems, and other systems where people gained many of their values and knowledge, the focus could be placed on issues that have nothing to do with gaining wealth?
3. Would it be possible to make certain "minority" groups the focus of society's problems?
4. Could the top pyramiders create (by using the media, etc.) hate amongst the bottom 80% in the pyramid, to keep the attention off them?
5. Can those in the 80th percentile be so burdened with day to day life that issues like wealth and net income become second place to finding healthy food, transportation to work or school, proper education for their children, a safe place to live (issues that would not be of concern if you had wealth)?