I dont want a managed economy where everyone has the same income by government mandate
That's a gobbledygook, irrelevant strawman. When did I ever suggest that the government would micromanage everyone's life and income, rendering everyone equal and bland like tasteless oatmeal? I never suggested that at all, that's just another one of your silly, disingenuous caricatures.
Having rich and poor is a normal human condition
So is disease, hunger, war, a life expectancy of 40 ..etc. You need to evolve and grow up. People like you are a public health hazard, undermining human progress and well-being. What morally and intellectually inept people like yourself fail to grasp is that we're all in this together and when there's illness or "inflammation" in one area of society, it ultimately negatively affects everyone, undermining your own health and security. Whenever we have the means to reduce or eliminate human suffering and scarcity, we should, if not must. Otherwise, everyone is at risk of loss and failure.
America is great because more people can improve themselves and live comfortably no matter what income level they start at provided they make wise personal decisions.
In an ideal world that would be the case, but that's not how the real world works, including our society. People flourish when they have access to resources, as opposed to being born in poverty and in an unstable home and community plagued with drugs and crime. When there is a robust social safety net for the working class and communities in general, everyone does well. Both the wealthy employer class and their employees. Everyone gets access to resources and opportunities for personal growth and success.
Competitive, modern market economies need robust government-developed and supported infrastructure and good regulations. The wealthy express otherwise in their propaganda that is consumed by the working class, but behind closed doors they cherish government infrastructure and support it, provided it serves their vested interests. The big-money capitalists love government regulations when they make the cost of entry into their industry much more expensive, increasing their market share and profits. What is needed is an effective regulatory framework that serves everyone's interests, not just the ruling class. One that contributes to the public good.