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High Poverty Rate a Distress Call for More Worker Rights

The poor are not benefiting from an economy that has been on the upswing since the Great Recession ended. Without Social Security, food stamps and unemployment insurance, the situation would be even worse, and extremist politicians want to eliminate those safety net programs.
High Poverty Rate a Distress Call for More Worker Rights
By Pablo Ros ·
High Poverty Rate a Distress Call for More Worker Rights

Every year, the federal government publishes a report on the number of people in our country who live below the poverty line. Last year, it was 46.7 million people – a country the size of Spain.

The report released last week shows that despite the economic recovery, our nation’s poverty rate at 14.8 percent is unacceptably high and remains stuck above pre-recession levels. It’s a reminder that not enough is being done to create an economy that works for all.

The poverty stats are also a reminder that those who would do away with government programs have it all wrong. In fact, without government assistance, the situation would be even worse. In 2014:

Right-wing extremists who wish to eliminate the social safety net are many of the same politicians who criticize labor unions. This is not a coincidence. It’s a proven fact that labor unions help raise wages not just for their members but for all workers in general. They help make the economy work for everyone, not just special interests or the wealthiest 1 percent.

In this sense, labor unions help pull families out of poverty and strengthen America’s middle class. They serve to balance the economy by improving economic mobility and reducing income inequality.

Corporate CEOs and special interests have manipulated the rules to make it harder for working people to join together, speak up and get ahead. At a time when many American families are struggling to make ends meet, we need more organized labor power, not less.

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