> The executives were earning significantly more than the employees who were keeping the company afloat.
The "Rules for Rulers" CGP Grey video[1] dug a fair bit into the difference between being a resource vs being a key player and how key players are not exactly the biggest contributors in a system.
This is unfortunately a rational result, so you cannot apply a moral or ideological argument to it & attempt to sway smart people enough.
"Take the throne to act, and the throne acts upon you. Accept that or turn back now before we discuss, The Rules for Rulers."