For that matter, "poverty," as defined by the US government is an arbitrary income level that has absolutely nothing to do with being "poor." "Poor" people in America have a higher standard of living than most of the world (and live better than the average western European).
I think we need to be willing to talk about poverty. In fact, talking about and taking real steps toward eliminating it is a continual responsibility for a free, democratic Republic. The best defense against communist or other revolutionary takeover is to maintain vigilance toward the shortcomings of capitalism.
But the New Deal should have expired in 1945, and the Great Society "war on poverty" eventually failed. I prefer a modest amount of help only to the most poverty-stricken and infirm combined with a program for economic stimulus. President Bush's "Ownership" initiatives have done more to increase the wellbeing of less fortunate than anything else, IMHO.
Tax cuts, cutting through government red tape, and encouraging industries to thrive by keeping our government hands off of them is the best thing we can do for the vast majority of poor people. I would add that ending illegal and excessive immigration would help, as well. Ask a construction worker, construction contractor, or laid off programmer what they think of cheap immigrant labor.
I also believe we need to encourage affordable education, but not at the expense of home-taught morals. I also think higher public education has to be totally reformed before our tax dollars continue to feed the flames of anti-Americanism. From Aztlan to a million Mogadishus, from Derrida to Alice Walker, our state college campuses are hives of irrelevant "dissent" and Sadistic rage. Your tax dollars at work!
true, but cost of living is also higher in the USA
Now if the Reverend Jackson be saying poverty is UP, he be meaning exactly that. Because if poverty be DOWN, of what earthly use be him? You jiggy with that?