Summary

In Chapter 2, Desmond examines why America has made no real progress on bringing down the poverty rate. One important reason, he realizes, is that much of the aid sent to states in block grants never reaches the people in need. Funds are diverted for other projects that do little to help the hungry and unhoused. Many Americans also believe that immigrants are contributing to the growing numbers of the poor. In fact, immigrants have the highest rates of economic mobility in the United States and they greatly contribute to the tax base. Desmond then explains that we cannot place all the blame on single parents as well, for marriage tends to occur only after workers are confident in their earning potential.

Chapter 3 spends time discussing the ways we all undercut workers by offering poverty wages for work. Desmond's extended example is a man...