These words describe our situation failry accurately, I'd say:

• You cannot help the poor, by destroying the rich.
• You cannot strengthen the weak, by weakening the strong.
• You cannot bring about prosperity, by discouraging thrift.
• You cannot lift the wage earner up, by pulling the wage payer down.
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man, by inciting class hatred.
• You cannot build character and courage, by taking away men's initiative and independence.
• You cannot help men permanently, by doing for them what they could and should, do for themselves.

These are from Abe Lincoln.