>>Why does income distribution matter in a free market capitalistic society if not for one's jealousy?
>>Why should I care what some banker on Wall St. makes as a bonus?
>
>Free market ?
>http://www.zerohedge.com/news/hedge-fund-insider-explains-why-retail-investors-should-flee-stock-market

The stock market is a piece, but not the whole of free market capitalism.
Is it rigged for professional insiders? Yes
Does the Congress trade on insider information? Yes
Can a savvy investor still make a good amount of money. Yes
Can retirement accounts still generate better returns than the broader indexes? Yes

I agree with many points of the article, however, that doesn't make it a casino. Casino games have a built in house advantage that you cannot overcome. Casino games have nothing behind them, whereas all stock is backed by a company of real people, ideas, goods and services which over the long term will win out over the even the most aggressive traders.

Besides, there's no stopping anyone from working hard, and putting investment capital with a hedge fund once they're an accredited investor. http://www.sec.gov/answers/accred.htm.

>Sure thing. Almost perfect equilibrium of free society living in the land of equal opportunity...
>Wish you every luck in overtaking that lucky amateur Warren Buffet :))

Thank you. I don't plan to devote the time and effort it would require to be as successful as Buffet, however, if I can daisy-chain a couple moon-shots, who knows I may change career paths. ;)