Absolute Poverty HAS Virtually Disappeared in the U.S.
11 November 2007
Editor, The Washington Times
To the Editor:
Rep. Jim McDermott's need to stir up demands for his and his colleagues' "services" does not justify his misinterpretation of Walter Williams's recent column (Letters, November 11). Mr. McDermott is shocked - shocked! - that Prof. Williams writes that poverty in America has "virtually disappeared." In fact, however, Prof. Williams wrote that "Poverty in the United States, in an absolute sense, has virtually disappeared." Mr. McDermott conveniently forgot to include, when quoting Prof. Williams, the part about "in an absolute sense."
Poverty in America, in an absolute sense, has indeed virtually disappeared. No American dies of starvation (although some do die from OVER-eating). And nearly every American is housed, clothed, entertained, and cared for medically in ways that nearly all of our pre-industrial ancestors would have thought possible only in Shangri-la.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Editor, The Washington Times
To the Editor:
Rep. Jim McDermott's need to stir up demands for his and his colleagues' "services" does not justify his misinterpretation of Walter Williams's recent column (Letters, November 11). Mr. McDermott is shocked - shocked! - that Prof. Williams writes that poverty in America has "virtually disappeared." In fact, however, Prof. Williams wrote that "Poverty in the United States, in an absolute sense, has virtually disappeared." Mr. McDermott conveniently forgot to include, when quoting Prof. Williams, the part about "in an absolute sense."
Poverty in America, in an absolute sense, has indeed virtually disappeared. No American dies of starvation (although some do die from OVER-eating). And nearly every American is housed, clothed, entertained, and cared for medically in ways that nearly all of our pre-industrial ancestors would have thought possible only in Shangri-la.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Tuesday April 29, 2008 at 8:34pm