>> There should already be a not-so-huge wave of accomplishment coming from all these people. Not to belittle them and their abilities, but there isn't.

Two thoughts here: 1) What specifically do you mean by "wave of accomplishment"? How should that be measured?

2) You will need to cite some proof of this assertion. I can think of many anecdotes of successful people (J.K. Rowling, for instance) who achieved success while on welfare.

>>Modern Western societies are rich enough that smart, motivated individuals can mostly rise to the level of their own ability.

Not sure this true, but I'd like to see any data you have on this point as well. As it stands, social and economic mobility is limited by birth, see http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/20...