Besides rising taxes for the wealthy, what can be done to close the gap between the haves and have-nots? ?

I consider myself a moderate Democrat and shudder at the idea of a Robin Hood government where the wealth is redistributed through higher taxes for the rich--I believe that's socialism. However, I do believe that too large a chasm has opened between the haves and the have-nots with . What do you think can be done to help the economy and restore fairness and opportunity to our capitalistic society without resorting to a "spread the wealth" tax system?