The Reading of the The Rich and the Rest Of Us: A Poverty Manifesto

[Alison P. Minto]

This book is a must read. It not only is a testament to the plight of the least among us; it also reads like a book on Economics and a course in Civics; as a subject, in my day; taught about duty to your country and countrymen/women. This book talks about Democracy and how we all benefit from it, in its TRUEST form. As I read, I could picture the faces of the brothers and sisters across the country, being unemployed, underemployed, and those who have given up, on finding work, mostly because of the outsourcing of the major industries, to other parts of the world.

It also points to the many forms in which 'poverty' plays a part in our lives; even the 1%ers; they have been displaying a 'poverty of compassion'.

On the topic of duty, the very citizens that have put their lives on the line for the country-fighting wars, that have been created by 'the greed' of a few; are now finding themselves in deep poverty; this should not be.

The many foreclosed properties vs. the many homeless; this should not be. In a country with much fertile land vs. the hungered; this should not be.

We have to recognize that it takes dedication; and a true understanding of the inequality that is taking place in our society, and that we must call upon our duly elected officials; to take careful notice; and to make them aware of the fact, that they are OUR employees. 

The authors of this text see a country, that has not yet lived up to its promise, and that is what we must all take into consideration. This book needs to read by all.