Global disparities

From Beijing:

Officials have used state-run media outlets to dismiss any comparisons of [Middle East] regimes with China. At the same time, they have stepped up public comments on the need to ... tackle problems such as the growing income disparity between the rich and poor.

The leaders of this authoritarian capitalist nation may wish to remind themselves -- and just about now seems likely -- of their socialist roots.

When the growing disparity between rich and poor will trouble our liberal capitalistic nation is, however, anybody's guess.