Bill Moyers: Why do you think, David, that we tolerate such gaps between rich and poor?

David Simon: You know, I’m fascinated by it. Because a lot of the people who end up voting for that kind of laissez-faire market policy are people who get creamed by it. And I think it’s almost like a casino. You’re looking at the guy winning, you’re looking at the guy who pulled the lever and all the bells go off, all the coins are coming out of a one-armed bandit. You’re thinking, “That could be me. I’ll play by those rules.” But actually, those are house rules. And most of you are going to lose.

This is just one of the great parts in this awesome interview with David Simon, creator of the best show to ever be on television, The Wire. If you’be never seen it, do yourself a favor and rent all five seasons NOW.

Another good tidbit from Simon in this interview: “I mean, the guys who are running newspapers over the last twenty or thirty years have to be singular in the manner in which they destroyed their own industry.” WORD.

As always though, please read the entire thing.