The Growing Clout of the Nouveau Poor

The Nation by Barbara Ehrenreich | Jan. 15, 2009 (Opinion)

Ever on the lookout for the bright side of hard times, I am tempted to delete "class inequality" from my worry list. Less than a year ago, it was the one of the biggest economic threats on the horizon, with even hard-line conservative pundits grousing that wealth was flowing uphill at an alarming rate, leaving the middle class stuck with stagnating incomes while the new super-rich ascended to the heavens in their personal jets. Then the whole top-heavy ... Full Story »

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3.7

by Patricia L'Herrou - Jan. 16, 2009

this points out very well the difference between being poor and those losing money even a lot only because of the current financial changes of those who have been making much much money. that difference is pointed out as helping create the very events which effect the latter group now. in spite of this there is a lightness of tone here which contributes to the sense of pointing fun of that group.

no mention is made of the larger context of the world and the difference in status between nations, and the possibilities of fates parallel to those of this story in the future.

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4.3

by Kenneth Sibbett - Jan. 13, 2009

An excellent article on how shallow the politicians and the press can trivialize the really poor in this country. Having to pawn you diamond Rolex, is not the same as standing in line to get a small box of food, and doing it all again the next day.

I have been reading about the continuing problems of Ms. Penney. I too, unfortunately are having a problem of similar proportion. I own 25 Hawaiian Shirts. While I like to have them dry-cleaned, alas, that is no longer possible. My wife, poor thing, is having to wash them , and then, the unthinkable, put then in the dryer on low heat and hang them up. Obama, please , for the sake of my Hawaiian shirts starting to fade, do something fast to help us out of this unholy nightmare.

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