[tchalla]

In my view, the problem is societal outcomes like the one we see in the linked article. The factor that compounds the problem is income equality. Your question is interesting but I'd like to rephrase it a bit.

What should the minimum income threshold be that puts reasonable guarantees on desired societal outcomes?

[WalterBright]

> the problem is income equality

Why should relative levels of income be determinative rather than absolute levels of income?

[nicoburns]

This should probably be expressed as a proportion of total economic output rather than a dollar amount. Because ultimately money represents a share of societies economic output.