There will be blood. I love character studies and Daniel Day Lewis does just an amazing job.
I think the American dream implied that if you put in honest hard work you could be successful.
I found that personally true for myself, transcending from low income to being a millionaire in my 30s. But I know that it has not worked out for some.
Factors that complicated this are numerous. Some are obvious such as the globalizing economy, as well as the increased deviousness of the ultra wealthy in their ability to influence public policy.
One factor I feel like we don't discuss enough is just the heightened potency and addictiveness that we are able to market and manufacture products. It's so targeted now that to me it seems that we are preying on the low income and draining them of their wealth by convincing them to spend money frivolously.