[w]hy not use as a criterion for income what people need to live a decent life?
and since most people's basic needs are similar there would not be an
extreme difference in income but everyone would have enough for food,
housing, medical care, education entertainment, vacations. of course
there is the traditional objection that if we don't reward people with huge
incomes society will fall apart, that progress depends on those people. a
dubious argument. where is the proof that people need huge incomes to give
them the incentive to do important things?
howard zinn

what does this mean?