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Voices of American Poverty

            The American Way of Poverty: How the Other Half Still Lives is a novel written by Sasha Abramsky. In this novel he discusses the state of America's lower class, lower-middle class and the relatively new idea of America's working poor. He talks about how there are people in this country who have been promised the ideal of the American dream but upon attempting to pursue it have gotten stuck in a rut of endless debt and living to never having enough. He points out that though some people are earning upward of $50,000/year they are still living pay check to paycheck. These people have little to no support from the government and thus feel that they have no possibility of financial freedom. Abramsky talks about the turn of the economy in 2008 and the lack of government policy and planning in case of a situation such as the one that we are currently facing. Through claims he sets out to prove that the disparity of classes in America have not been this bad since the 1920's. .
             Abramsky's The American Way of Poverty was well researched and presented new ideas about the current state of poverty by redefining what it is to be poor. His work was backed up by accurate sources which allows the reader to follow his research and potentially formulate their own. The transitions between ideas did not flow as smoothly and mad the information seem a little disorderly and difficult to follow along at times. Overall the book is eloquently written and the wording is perfect as so that the reader is not cause up in terminology and language and can instead focus on the premises and ideas. .
             After reading Abramsky's work I agree with his idea that poverty goes against core American values and what the government promises to offer their citizens. The American dream promises that anyone who works hard will be able to achieve prosperity and wealth. As Abramsky lays out this new class, the working poor, will work hard endlessly with no reward.


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