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I think you both know that you're talking past one another, seemingly intentionally. It's absolutely true that, given even a minimal family/friend support struc

I think you both know that you're talking past one another, seemingly intentionally. It's absolutely true that, given even a minimal family/friend support structure, people to the very left of the earnings curve have a decent standard of living in the U.S. today. If you have an able body, it's pretty hard to starve (or even go without cable TV). I think you both know that. On the other hand, some people obviously don't have able bodies or any support network to speak of. I think you both know that, too. So, why he disconnect?

toomuchtodo 10y ago
> If you have an able body, it's pretty hard to starve (or even go without cable TV). I think you both know that. I'm not so sure. I know people who are able bodied, college degree educated, and some months can barely afford groceries after all non-discretionary spending is accounted for.
- grahamburger 10y ago
  Barely afford groceries after all non-discretionary spending is a lot different than "can't afford groceries or non-discretionary spending." I've been in the former category, for quite a long time - I would not call that poverty. If that was the worst of what people experience in the US, I would also call poverty solved. (It's not the worst of what people experience, and I would not personally call poverty solved.)