Fifteen percent of Americans live in poverty. That official rate hasn’t dropped much since 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a War on Poverty. On this, the anniversary of that declaration, we asked people across the country why they think people live in poverty.
Rose Bertucci from Scottsdale, Ariz., says that she’s all for helping others get out of poverty, but personal responsibility is a big factor is whether or not someone is poor.
Shirley Franklin, former mayor of Atlanta, says that some people are poor through no fault of their own.
Others seemed to think that the poverty has to do with low expectations. Those in poverty have low expectations of their government and the government has low expectations of people living in poverty.
Gwen Sealy Singer from New York says it’s all relevant to where you live.
We asked the question on Twitter as well. Here is what you told us:
@MPWealthPoverty @MarketplaceAPM Greedy corporate entities = Lack of good opportunities.
— Michelle Doty (@mmdoty) January 8, 2014
@MPWealthPoverty @MarketplaceAPM The job creators of the world are more interested in lower taxes than creating jobs.
— Patrick Curran (@patrickthebold) January 8, 2014
@MPWealthPoverty In 140 characters the answer could only be wrong or sound juvenile in its snark. Ex: Because greed! Because government!
— Jones (@mjophus) January 8, 2014
@MPWealthPoverty @MarketplaceAPM Frozen wages, no career ladder, ‘right to work’ state.
— Sunfell (@Sunfell) January 8, 2014
@Ketchcast @MPWealthPoverty Some stay poor because they lack access to downpayment for home, $ for college or to start small business. #cdfi
— Community Loan Fund (@NHCommLoanFund) January 8, 2014
@Ben_Cooleyy @MPWealthPoverty If the system were fair then all of us would have an equal chance to get rich. Then, hard work would be enough
— Naseer Ahmad (@manfromatlan) January 8, 2014
@MPWealthPoverty @MarketplaceAPM in some instances, mental health issues.
— CaronOsberg (@caronosberg) January 8, 2014
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