wealthy getting wealthier, meanwhile more middle class and poor people being shown how truly disposable they are.

Things started to swing in 2008 after the financial crisis. Grossly Simplified, but regular people got wiped out. A few rich folks had to sell off a few yachts, but mostly walked away unscathed after perpetuating massive amounts of financial fraud. Oh yeah, the wealthy people who were responsible for the crash also walked away with a massive bailout, while regular people had a lifetime of wealth wiped out, and no real prospects to replace it.