Who’s Better Off?
A recent study by the Interfaith Action for Economic Justice titled, “End Results: the Impact of Federal Policies Since 1980 on Low-Income Americans,” reveals that the gap between rich and poor in the United States is now the widest it has been since 1947.
The study found an increase of 9 million people living in poverty since 1979, a 51% increase in the number of children living in poverty, and an increase in federal taxes paid by poverty-line families from $460 in 1980 to $1,076 in 1984. These are documented figures, based on reports from the Congressional Budget Office, Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, and other sources.
Consider these facts in light of our present Administration, which claims our economy is continuing to improve. After four years, who’s better off? The ones who were already better off four years ago. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Those of us in the middle suffer a serious delusion if we think such trends can continue without an effect upon us.
THOMAS E. KENT
Huntington Beach
30
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