Ben Shapiro takes Bernie Sanders to school with lesson in economics and reality

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro took Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to school on Twitter over the weekend after the self-described democratic-socialist senator tweeted about "income inequality."

"38 years ago, the top 0.1% owned about 7% of our nation’s wealth. Today, that same 0.1% owns 22% of the wealth," Sanders tweeted Saturday afternoon.

But facts may stand in the way of Sanders' tweet. According to Shapiro, every American is more wealthy than they were 38 years ago, or in 1979. In addition, Shapiro noted that the upper middle class has grown since then.

"In 1979, life expectancy was 7 years shorter, and upper middle class was 12% of US (today 30%). We're all richer," Shapiro tweeted back at Sanders.

But Shapiro wasn't done. When one Twitter user disagreed with Shapiro and said America isn't richer and that median income has declined over the last four decades, Shapiro hit back strong.

"Except for how we have cellphones, computers, air conditioning, larger living spaces on average, you're right," he wrote.

Indeed, according to economic data, the median income in the 1970's was less than it is today when adjusted for inflation.

But Shapiro's followers also noticed something important: that liberals aren't necessarily angry over growing incomes, but they believe that some making more than others is just "unfair."

@benshapiro Ever notice Libs always want to sink some boats instead of having a rising tide lift all boats?

— diogenes (@diogenes323bc) April 2, 2017

@diogenes323bc @benshapiro That and they ignore the fact that people comprising each of those percentiles always change. That's the definition of opportunity.

— klear (@raelk2) April 2, 2017

@benshapiro Capitalism makes everyone richer over time but does nothing to prevent resentment and envy.

— Penrod Schofield (@PenrodSchofield) April 2, 2017

@benshapiro If you're able to afford a $200 pair of Jordans, you're not poor.

— CharlestonChiver (@Charlestoned420) April 2, 2017

@benshapiro Memory likely failing. Waiting in line for gas in 1979 was less fun than Bernie remembers. pic.twitter.com/4gfmzml7oS

— DJGOLDEN (@FREE_REMARKS) April 2, 2017

Someone do Sanders a favor and get him some note-taking materials.