It’s Pi Day: Let’s celebrate math—and fight inequality

March 14 is Pi Day. It’s a day (3.14, naturally) to celebrate the amazing number pi, which goes on forever without repeating. More broadly, it’s a day to appreciate mathematics and get better acquainted with the power of numbers.

Here’s a powerful number, one that all Americans should get better acquainted with: the shocking level of wealth inequality in the U.S.

The top 1% now own over 30% of the nation’s wealth, while the bottom 50% own just 2.4%. And the bottom 40% own 1%—practically nothing. Americans should get better acquainted with numbers like these because, well, they’re not now. They think wealth inequality is much less severe than it really is.

In honor of Pi Day, here are three pie charts that show the level of inequality Americans assume we have, the level that, ideally, they think we should have and the level we actually have.

This is a red alert for America. The effects of wealth inequality are all bad. They include a breakdown in social cohesion, a crumbling economy and widespread loss of opportunity for the non-wealthy. Indeed, a roundtable of experts in politics, government and economics recently predicted that wealth inequality could bring societal collapse within 10 years.

Specifically, they said it will cause a negative feedback loop in which failure by government to tax the wealthy leads to insufficient revenue to provide the services people need. As politicians refuse to address the underlying problem, trust in leaders erodes to a point where “the social contract collapses.”

Sound familiar?

At CREDO Mobile, we support an economy that works for everyone. That’s why we’ve donated millions of dollars to nonprofit groups dedicated to a fair economy. Groups like the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Brennan Center for Justice, Social Security Works and The Other 98%.

Strength in numbers

We’re more than a phone company. We’re a movement of people who stand for Economic Justice, Civil Rights, Equality and Climate Justice.

Will you join us? You’ll get all you want from your mobile service: superfast coast to coast coverage, competitive plans, great deals on new phones and friendly customer service.

And you’ll get much more. You’ll get an easy, effective way to make a difference for the causes you care about.

Switching is easy. You can bring your current phone and your current number. Just go to CREDOMobile.com.