war on poverty

Opportunity Versus Outcomes

A hostile review of my new book — "Wealth, Poverty and Politics" — said, "there is apparently no level of inequality of income or opportunity that Thomas Sowell would consider unacceptable." Ordinarily, reviewers who miss the whole point of a book they are reviewing can be ignored. But this particular confusion about what opportunity means is far too widespread, far beyond a particular reviewer of a particular book. That makes it a confusion worth clearing up, because it affects so many other discussions of very serious issues.

An Unhealthy Dependence on Food Stamps

Good news: The number of Americans using food stamps in 2014 declined slightly from the previous year. So why does the 2015 Index of Culture and Opportunity say this indicator is headed in the "wrong direction"? There are a couple of reasons. For one, the food-stamp program (officially known now as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) is still much larger today than it was a decade ago — or, indeed, just a few years ago. In 2008, it was below 30 million. By 2013, it had hit 47.6 million.

War on Poverty, or War on Marriage?

It's a Quagmire! The War on Poverty, That Is

Losing the Half-Century War on Poverty

We've spent an estimated $22 trillion trying to alleviate poverty with little to show for it.

Paul Ryan Lays Out the 'Way Forward' on Poverty

Republicans badly need this more welcoming message on the subject.

A Black Conservative Takes on the 'Poverty Pentagon'

"We've created a poverty industry, turned poor people into a commodity."

Explaining the Causes of Poverty Is Racist

Paul Ryan talked about the underlying culture and gets the standard rebuke.

The Failed 'War on Poverty' at 50

Paul Ryan looks at the 92 programs and $799 billion spent in 2012 and finds unimpressive results.

20% Receive Food Stamps

The Obama agenda.

A Poor Record on Poverty

War on poverty turns 50.