Hmm, OK now a Professor of Liberal Arts is saying they function in the universe of facts? It's a universe all right. How about getting back to planet earth and reality. And I love the HuffPo and ThinkProgress sources!
Income inequality might be rising but "poverty" standard of livings are as well! Someone in poverty back in the 40's 50's 60's did not have the equivalents of today's large screen TVs, internet access, laptops, iPads, iPhones, central air, 2 cars, emergency health care etc etc.
Being poor in the US is not what it used to be. Seems back in the day there was real hardship and people went without. It made them want to get out of that postion and improve themselves. Today, there is incentive to stay in that position. 52 weeks of unemployment? Are you kidding me?