The Ghanaian adage “you can’t be grossed out by something you can’t see” offers guidance on how we can perhaps deal with one of the most bedeviling problems facing societies today.

Across the rich world, extreme wealth inequality is causing widespread friction. All indications are that the AI revolution will continue to mint more billionaires and centibillionaires in the coming months and years. An already thorny problem is therefore likely to get much worse.

The degree of wealth inequality we see today distorts social landscapes in myriad ways, and can destroy the foundational harmony that is essential for the endurance of societies. The impact rich people have on real estate prices in some localities is a prime example. The influx of wealthy individuals and families can make housing unaffordable for the less affluent residents in those communities, creating resentment.

My view has always been that rich people in competitive market economies create significant value for the societies they inhabit. But there are lots of people these days who apparently think that billionaires are more trouble than they are worth. Our relationship with the ultrawealthy is reaching such a level of toxicity that I am starting to think a divorce might be the best course of action at this point.

Undue political influence is one of our frequent complaints against the wealthy class. That is definitely an increasingly vexing issue. But I can’t help but think that part of our problem is how the ultra-rich make us feel about ourselves. Even when we are reasonably comfortable financially and we don’t struggle as much as the truly indigent do, we still feel inadequate when we see others living so large around us. The cure for that malaise is to take our eyes off rich people’s bowls of caviar, private jets, and superyachts. But that is easier said than done.

Tyrants often find ways to send “annoying” political dissidents into exile. Such activists become thorns in the sides of despots over time. Eventually, the tyrants determine that getting the “troublemakers” out of sight and out of mind is the only solution.

We certainly shouldn’t hound the rich and brutalize them the way tyrants frequently treat political activists. We can find ways to end the relationship amicably.

The question is: Who gets the house after the divorce? Since the ultra-rich constitute just about one percent of the population, logically, it will be easier for them to move out. Some of them are actually packing up and leaving on their own. They are not waiting for any court orders. Here in the U.S., they are moving from blue to red states, where taxes tend to be lower.

I don’t know how long the populations of red states are going to be tolerant of all that “obscene” wealth that is flowing into their neighborhoods. If the new locations also turn out to be unwelcoming over time, then those wealthy people will have no choice but to move overseas.

After all the ultrawealthy people leave and there is no one around to make us feel sorry for ourselves, I expect we will enjoy peace and tranquility. For one thing, we will regain control over our politics. The culture wars will probably continue, but at least the billionaires won’t be around to stoke the flames. Unemployment will rise with their departure since most of them are job creators. Our lives will also be poorer in other ways. Over time, we won’t have many of the gadgets and technologies that are created by these geniuses.

I assume all that is fine with us because our mental health is more important. I, for one, will miss the ultra-rich when they are gone.