Getting Serious About Poverty

Today the Center for American Progress released a report titled "From Poverty to Prosperity: A National Strategy to Cut Poverty in Half."  Noting that one in eight Americans lives in poverty today (defined as a family of four living on less than $19,971), the Center estimates that the rate can be halved through a combination of policy steps, including a higher minimum wage, expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, guaranteed child care, and housing vouchers to deconcentrate poverty.  The combined cost of the recommendations is estimated at $90 billion per year.  The cost (in 2008) of President Bush's tax cuts for households making more than $200,000 per year is estimated to be $100 billion.  And the cost of our war of choice in Iraq?  Don't get me started.