Imagine this: You’re at a dinner party. There’s a long table with 20 people, and the food is placed in the middle. One guy at the end grabs half the food before anyone else can even reach for a plate. The rest of you are left scrambling for crumbs, pretending it’s all fair because, hey, he was “faster.” That’s capitalism in a nutshell.

It’s a system built on competition, right? Work harder, move faster, be smarter, and you’ll “win.” But what if I told you that the race started long before you even knew it existed—and some people had a head start?

The Starting Line Isn’t the Same for Everyone

Here’s the harsh reality: while some are born on third base, others start way back in the parking lot. Sure, we hear stories of people “making it” from nothing, but they’re rare. For most, it’s like trying to climb a ladder while someone else is pulling it out from under you.

Take wealth inequality, for example. Did you know that the richest 1% of the world owns more wealth than the rest of us combined? Think about that. It’s like going to a buffet, and one person loads up 10 plates, leaving the rest of us to fight over salad scraps.

But here’s the kicker: we’re told this is fine. We’re told that if we just “work harder,” we can grab a plate, too. Never mind that the guy hoarding all the food owns the buffet and makes the rules.

The Illusion of Choice

Capitalism loves to sell us the dream of choice. Want a better life? Work harder. Go to school. Get a degree. Start a business. But the truth is, not everyone gets the same opportunities to even try.

Picture a board game where some players start with all the money, properties, and hotels, while others start with nothing but debt. How long do you think it’ll take for the game to feel unfair? That’s the world we live in—a system where the rules benefit those who already have the most.

Who’s Writing the Rules?

The people who benefit the most from capitalism are also the ones who control it. They write the rules, fund the politicians, and shape the narrative. They’ll tell you that the system is fair because they don’t want you questioning it. They’d rather you blame yourself than see the truth.

And let’s be real: questioning the system isn’t exactly encouraged. If you point out the inequality, you’ll be labeled as bitter, lazy, or—my personal favorite—a “wannabe motivational speaker.” But ask yourself this: If the system is so fair, why are so many people struggling?

Time to Wake Up

This isn’t about tearing the whole system down or pointing fingers. It’s about waking up to the truth. Inequality isn’t just a byproduct of capitalism—it’s baked into the system. The question is: What are we going to do about it?

Think of it this way: if the guy at the table with all the food shared a little, everyone could eat. The problem isn’t that there’s not enough to go around; the problem is that it’s hoarded.

So, next time someone tells you to just “work harder,” ask them this: How hard do I have to work to fix a system that’s rigged from the start?