Action 1, Spiral #3 addresses the problem of rising inequality of opportunity. As discussed in Action 1, modern democracies provide equality for citizens. Indeed, even non-citizens in the United States enjoy most constitutional rights like freedom of speech, due process, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. Only U.S. citizens over the age of 18, however, have the right to vote. In a healthy democracy, every adult citizen has an equal say in choosing elected officials and influencing government policy. In the 21st century United States, massive economic inequality means the super rich have more influence on government than the rest of us. 

It’s a basic democratic principle that the people rule. When billionaires have outsized influence on our government, democracy suffers. Here are some ways we can start to address the wealth gap and make our democracy work for everyone:

• Learn about the Living Wage for All Act: In the spring of 2026, Rep. Delia Ramirez, Sen. Chris Murphy, and other members of Congress introduced legislation that would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $25/hour over several years. The current federal minimum wage (which hasn’t changed since 2009) is just $7.25/hour, or less than $300 a week for someone working full time. Under the Living Wage for All Act, all Americans with minimum wage jobs would have a real chance to make ends meet and keep up with inflation. You can learn more about the Act here. You can also contact your representatives in Congress to discuss this legislation with them or their staff members; you can find contact information for your representatives and senators here.
• Find out about anti–corruption legislation: Corrupt politicians see public office as a way to line their pockets; corrupt businesspeople understand they have to “pay to play” in order to get favored treatment. No elected official should be cashing in on their office, including by profiting from private business ventures, pocketing gifts from foreign governments, awarding government contracts to their friends and family, gaming prediction markets, or using inside information to make money trading stocks. Recent reporting shows that President Trump’s various businesses made more than $2 billion in income during 2025 alone, including more than $1 billion from cryptocurrency ventures.   Public office shouldn’t be a profit center; elected officials in the federal government should be working to advance the national interest, not their own financial bottom line.  Legislation like the End Corruption Now reforms, the No Getting Rich in Congress Act, No Profiting from Public Service Act, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Reinforcement Act aim to end these abuses of the public trust. You can also ask your elected representatives to discuss this legislation with you.
• Read about legislation aimed at campaign finance reform, and consider voting for candidates who will make this into law: The Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United opened the floodgates for billionaires to pour money into political campaigns. In the 2024 election alone, 100 billionaires spent a combined $2.6 billion. When the super rich can exert this kind of outsized influence on elections, democracy suffers. The DISCLOSE Act seeks to level the playing field by addressing the insidious problem of money in politics. Nonprofit organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice also have ideas to address the corrupting influence of big money in politics. You can ask your elected representatives to support these ideas too.
• Support organizations working for economic justice: In addition to the Brennan Center, many other organizations are working for economic justice, including: Jobs With Justice, National Center for Law and Economic Justice, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Roosevelt Institute, and the Urban Institute.