Piketty's book, and to the growing salience of inequality
It's a testament to the power of Piketty's book, and to the growing salience of inequality as a political issue, that people like Jason Furman are giving Piketty's book respectful attention. The issue has gained enough traction that political elites now feel that they have to pay it lip service.
Still, their message is clear: minor reforms might be grudgingly allowed, but policies that threaten the wealth and power of the elite class are strictly out of bounds.