> If there was a central lesson of the twentieth century, it's that the chasm between the haves and have-nots cannot be closed without doing more damage than simply allowing it to exist.

I don’t think there is evidence supporting this conclusion.

> People are not created equal, no matter how tightly you shut your eyes and how loudly you chant.

And yet they have equal rights, including the same right to influence political decisions, which is clearly not being respected.

> the same voting rights is maladaptive to civilized society.

Democracy requires an informed electorate. That’s why public schools exist and why they should be well (and equally well) funded, without some schools being privileged by donations that’ll only exacerbate unequal rights to education.