Nickle-and-Dimed

A wonderful little article in the City Journal by Steven Malanga, "The Myth of the Working Poor" goes a long way towards providing a viable alternative interpretation of the economic situation of the poor in conventional American society. I quote:

"The Sphere Institute, a California public-policy think tank founded by Stanford University professors, charted the economic path of workers in the state from 1988 to 2000 and found extraordinary mobility across industries and up the economic ladder. Over 40 percent of the lowest income group worked in retail in 1988; by 2000, more than half of that group had switched to other industries. Their average inflation-adjusted income gain after moving on: 83 percent, to over $32,000 a year."

Go and click on the title to read it; it's well worth your time.