If
ever there was a clear case of capitalists’
disdain for the plight of poor and
working-class people, it came with the latest
statistics for the U.S. poverty rate.
According to the Census Bureau, it was the
greatest one-year jump on record. This sharp
increase was due to end of the government
payouts that buffered the financial suffering
during the pandemic. At the same time that
these federal programs were expiring, the
costs of living were rising.
Poverty
always increases when capitalism is in crisis.
We can count on the masses of people being
forced to make the sacrifices so that the
super profits keep coming for the ruling
elite. Poverty is a natural by-product of
capitalism so any relief will be minuscule and
temporary for the estimated 50 million
Americans who hang on under the poverty line.
The
decline in poverty for the previous couple of
years was based upon the bundle of benefits
from the American Rescue Plan Act. This
included extra food stamps, emergency rental
assistance, direct payments to families and
most important, the child tax credits. Many
families were in crisis and the totality of
these benefits helped to significantly ease
the financial burdens presented by COVID-19.
This made good common sense not just for the
tumultuous period of the pandemic, but for
life beyond it.
If
the nation was able to put a dent in the
poverty rate because of this concentration of
funds, why can’t those benefits be extended -
and expanded - to make a long-term difference
in the lives of these families?
At
the same time legislators were cutting off
these essential benefits, they were making
deep cuts in corporate taxes. Capitalism will
always favor capital over people. Even
children.
The
poverty rate among children more than doubled
last year which means the rates for Black and
Brown children were off the charts. The
expanded child tax credit played a big part in
improving the outcomes of children because it
briefly provided a guaranteed income to
families with children.
Most
of the family-centered legislation that
Congress passes is not based upon its grace
and empathy. It is usually pressured to do so
by citizens organized to advocate for families
and communities. Most Congresspeople are far
removed from the living conditions faced by
poor and working-class families. These
corporate-loving lawmakers are millionaires
with the lifestyles that go along with it.
The
economic system must be completely
restructured if the human needs of the
majority are to be fully met. Living wages
with automatic built-in inflation adjustments,
subsidized childcare and other subsidies could
definitely stabilize a working family’s
uncertain financial situation.
It
has been encouraging to see workers in
organized struggles for higher wages and
better working conditions, such as Amazon and
Starbucks. The historic strike of autoworkers
is also unfolding across the country. As we
support these workers’ demands, it is an ideal
time to talk about the vision beyond the
economic struggles. It’s time for us to get
off the capitalist treadmill and make some
real headway for working people in this
country.
