Poverty in the US

Poverty affects many people in the United States. According to povertyusa.org, more than 46 million Americans are living in poverty. This is equivalent to 1 out of 6 Americans. Many of these include people living on minimum wage, disabled people, the unemployed, children and many more. Out of the fifty states, Mississippi has the highest level of poverty and New Hampshire has the lowest level. The child poverty rate is the highest out of the overall for the state. Many other Southern states such as Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas have high rates of poverty. People living in poverty have to choose between important necessities like food, health care and child care. The statistics from the website tell that 1 out of 5 children in USA live in poverty. There are programs to help these children who are in need. The National School Lunch Program has provided low or no cost meals to impoverished children.

Some notable times in history where the government has stepped in to reduce poverty and other economic and social instability was with President Theodore Roosevelt from 1901-1909. His "Square Deal" which was initiated to control corporate corruption which helped reduce poverty and bankruptcy.

President Lyndon B. Johnson's Social Security Act of 1965 is another that is still enforced today and had a great impact on the nation socially and economically. Though he did not create the system on his own but merely modified it to include health benefits. President Theodore Roosevelt initially created it and President Harry S. Truman revised it in his Fair Deal. The legislation initially provided retirement pensions for ages 65+ and poor families.