Good discussion.
Makes me think that there is truth in both responses. On one side there is a balancing act, on the other side there is a balancing act.
This is a tight rope either way. If things get out of hand, there will be revolution. Just look at what is happening in places like Egypt. Theirs is a religous power struggle, or more likely, some using religion to get what they want.
Here we have the religion of money trying to control everything. Totally different situation, but really, it is just the same thing.
When the British controlled all the trade and taxation and created policy to suit their needs, revolution came, and it can happen again. People just need to get desperate enough.