It's Always Worse in Tight Times

The Washington Post reports that the poor are increasingly with us but the political class is largely unconcerned.

The reluctance of political leaders on both sides of the aisle to directly confront the fact that growing numbers of Americans are slipping into poverty reflects a stubborn reality about the poor: They are not much of a political constituency.

"...poor people don't vote in great numbers. And they certainly aren't going to be making campaign contributions. That definitely puts them behind many other people and interests when decisions are being made around here."

Among those who do pay attention is Washington Congressman Jim McDermott. He must not be part of the political class. Good on him.