Eight men have the same wealth as all the world’s poor.

Brothers and sisters, what are we doing wrong? According to data compiled by Oxfam: Eight men own the same wealth as the 3.6 billion people who make up the poorest half of humanity, according to a new report published by Oxfam today to mark the annual meeting of political and business leaders in Davos. Here’s …

How journalists covered Mussolini and Hitler

From Smithsonian.com: Mussolini was a darling of the American press. Hitler was called “Germany’s Mussolini.” “Sober” German politicians would emerge to soften Hitler’s radical plans. See any patterns?

Here’s what happens when you slash public services

You mostly end up targeting the people who can least afford it. That’s social services, but also infrastructure such as bus lines and the link. Read this from The Atlantic Monthly’s CityLab.

When is it illegal to be poor?

When you can’t pay your fines for lack of funds.

We. Are. Ready. Probably.

Alison sends this, a report from The Opportunity Agenda that says Americans, while balancing a belief in equality for all, and the ability of people in this country to make their own way (the old “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” thing), are ready to talk a little more seriously about eliminating poverty. From the …

About last night, yet again

What was missing from the conversation at last night’s presidential debate? Well, the list is long, but top on mine is poverty. Why don’t we talk more about poverty? I wrote this for The Hill.

The hidden toll of energy insecurity

From Laura Bliss, of The Atlantic Monthly’s CityLab: An estimated 16 million U.S. households face this hardship, unable to afford electricity and stay warm or cool enough. Energy costs are known to have an outsize economic impact on the poor: It’s been estimated that the bottom 20 percent of U.S. earners spend roughly 10 percent …

The rising tide didn’t lift all boats.

I wrote this for The Hill.

A diaper is never just a diaper

I wrote this for Mother Courant.

What if you’re a hungry teen in the U.S.?

Urban Institute and Feeding America recently released reports here and here  about hunger among teenagers in the U.S.A. Teens who suffer from food insecurity (they’re hungry, in other words) must resort to drastic measures — sex, drugs, crime — in order to get through the day. Here are some takeaways: Teen food insecurity is widespread. Even in …