This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
Residents in America's capital face appalling social inequality conditions. In the shadow of the White House and Capitol Hill, human need grows out of sight and mind.
Michael Harrington's " The Other America : Poverty in the United States" exposed the nation's dark side.
"In morality and in justice every citizen should be committed to abolishing the other America, for it is intolerable that the richest nation in human history should allow such needless suffering," he said.
"But more than that, if we solve the problem of the other America, we will have learned how to solve the problems of all of America."
Lyndon Johnson waged war on poverty. It was little more than a skirmish. Poor residents now are poorer. Rich ones are richer. In 2011, the city's top 5% earned over $500,000. The bottom 20% got $9,500.
The 54 - 1 ratio is stark. Two decades ago, it was 39 - 1. It's wider than in any state. Only two major US cities exceed it.
It's happening when income inequality stands at "levels last seen in the years before the Great Depression." America's wealth is disproportionately distributed up. Rich and poor more than ever are unequal.
Draconian policies hammer Indiana residents. Welfare is a four-letter word. It's restricted to 24 months. Beneficiaries must perform community service. They also must show they're actively job-searching.
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
1
1
