On the bright side, billionaires are probably just as likely to be hit by lightning as the rest of us (maybe more so with all that golfing).

Lightning may be equal opportunity in its actions, but (as you point out) the wealth industry isn’t. The primary goal of any institution is self-preservation, and the wealth industry has fostered a number of myths to protect its members. “Anyone who works hard can become wealthy” (another of your points). There’s also the reverse myth: “It’s all random, so you should play the lottery” (even worse odds than getting hit by lightning). And there’s the Prosperity Gospel (“If you give enough money to televangelists, God will make you rich”).

Billionaires don’t rely on chance or God.

The one statement you won’t hear from the wealth industry PR is that the wealth industry protects itself by limiting membership (i.e. by maintaining wealth inequality).

The Betsy DeVos two-tiered educational system, to name one strategy, is one of the most egregious forms of keeping people out of the country club set.

I’m not saying membership in the Rich Folks Club is a good thing, though. We do better to spend our time promoting creativity, courage, generosity, etc.

But focusing on getting into the club is a pretty good sign that you won’t get in, and you won’t be doing the other things human beings should do either.