Poverty in America is by design w/Matthew Desmond
Poverty in America is by design w/Matthew Desmond | The Chris Hedges Report
Economic Inequality and Poverty
50 million Americans live in poverty, with 108 million surviving on $55,000/year or less, despite the US having the world’s largest economy.
The US government provides $35,000/year to the top 20% of families and $26,000/year to the bottom 20%, creating a 40% difference in support.
Labor and Wages
Raising the minimum wage has a negligible impact on employment while improving lifestyle, stress, and family time, as demonstrated by countries like Denmark paying workers twice as much for the same jobs.
Unions are crucial for both public and private sector workers, with 94% of private sector workers being non-union, leading to decreased worker power and increased exploitation.
Predatory Practices
Predatory financial practices cost the poor $61 million daily, including $11 billion/year in overdraft fees, $1.6 billion/year in check cashing fees, and $10 billion/year in payday loans.
Timestamped summary
00:00 Poverty in America is a deliberate design that exploits the poor, resulting in extreme poverty and a wealth gap exacerbated by institutionalized racism, with deep emotional and psychological consequences for those affected. Expand- 04:50 Spending on means-tested programs has increased, but poverty rates persist due to the job market’s failure to address exploitation, decline of unions, and stagnant wages, requiring deeper investments; distribution of money for assistance has shifted towards lawyers instead of helping those with disabilities. Expand
08:05 Poverty in America is intentionally designed, with states misusing and hoarding welfare funds, neglecting the suffering of the poorest families, and blaming poverty on individuals rather than systemic issues. Expand- 12:26 Black Americans face greater challenges in escaping poverty, even when following the Success Sequence, and high poverty rates in America cannot be blamed on lack of hard work; raising the minimum wage does not lead to higher unemployment and countries like Denmark have successfully implemented higher minimum wages without negative consequences. Expand
- 15:45 Poverty in America deprives people of a fulfilling life, family, and health, highlighting the impact of raising the minimum wage on their overall well-being. Expand
- 18:33 Exploitation in the labor market, two-tiered work system, restricted job mobility, and increasing worker power are crucial in addressing poverty in America and preventing predatory practices. Expand
- 23:50 Poor families in America are financially exploited through high rent, fees, and fines, while tax breaks for the wealthy reveal the true nature of the welfare state and the potential to reduce poverty by redirecting funds towards the vulnerable. Expand
- 28:19 Deeper investments in tax fairness and addressing root causes of poverty could raise $175 billion a year, enough to lift everyone above the poverty line, while also empowering workers, expanding choices, and combating exploitation and segregation. Expand
