The United States is one of the world’s wealthiest countries. But millions of people there live without basic necessities and struggle to make ends meet. Progress in reducing poverty has stagnated over the last 50 years despite advancements in science and tech. Why?
Subsidizing the Rich
The American welfare state is skewed towards benefitting the affluent, not the poor. This includes government-subsidized benefits such as retirement plans, student loans, child tax credits, and homeowner subsidies. While these programs are available to all Americans, they disproportionately benefit those above the poverty line. But middle-class and upper-class families don’t recognize themselves as recipients of welfare, which leads to stereotyping and finger pointing.
