In today's economically tumultuous world, there are three main pecuniary/societal systems at play: capitalism, socialism and communism. Each of these economic models promises financial stability and prosperity, but none of them entirely deliver.  Communism and socialism look great on paper, unless that paper happens to be the pages of a history book. Capitalism is the only logical option when compared to the other two; or at least it appears that way if you've never heard of the Great Depression and haven't read a newspaper since 2007. (And if you haven't, welcome back! We've missed you.)

In theory, each of these economic models is perfect; but the truth is they share a common flaw: they each fail to account for the people who put them into practice.  Capitalism allows us to work for whatever level of wealth we wish. It also caters to our propensity for greed, leading some to build their empires on the backs of those they've exploited.  Socialism looks like a more genteel form of capitalism that still permits us to strive for success, just not at the expense or neglect of others. It also appeals to our tendency toward laziness. Why work when someone else can work for us?  Communism is appropriately named; it's a communion of the promises and realities of capitalism and socialism.  It offers equal and tremendous economic prosperity for everyone, but history shows that it invariably leads to a few of the greedy and corrupt ruling over a vast multitude of the lazy and complacent. If someone developed an economic model that delivered all of the speculative benefits of capitalism, socialism and communism and provided contingencies for the darker angels of our nature, they would really be onto something.

Inequality for All is the latest from award-winning director and documentarian Jacob Kornbluth. The film chronicles the income inequality gap in the United States; a phenomenon that's been building steam over the last three decades, but only gained widespread public attention when it hit what was hopefully its zenith during the 2007-08 financial collapse and left us to live in a country where the top 400 richest people have more combined wealth than the bottom 150 million.

Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich is our host for this ugly exposé, and we'd be hard-pressed to find a better one. Currently a professor at Berkeley, Reich is not only knowledgeable, but also an engaging speaker who delivers a conspicuous and yet much-appreciated degree of warmth and levity into what would otherwise be a relentlessly grim film. Scenes of the deceptively diminutive Reich addressing the audience in his amiable style are juxtaposed with interviews with hard-working middle-class people struggling to achieve the fabled "American Dream" in a country that appears no longer willing, perhaps no longer able, to provide it.

Inequality for All explores the potential hazards that this persistent and growing income gap poses not only for our economy, but for democracy and the very future of our country.

NOTE: Pacific Lutheran University Political Science Department Chair Sid Olufs will lead a discussion following the 2:25 p.m. screening Saturday, Oct. 19 at The Grand Cinema.

INEQUALITY FOR ALL, opens Friday, Oct. 18, The Grand Cinema, 606 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, $4.50-$9, 253.593.4474