While in January 2018 the unemployment rate was at a relatively low 4.1 percent, that still meant 6.7 million unemployed workers and many more millions experiencing underemployment. Moreover, having a job is insufficient for escaping poverty: In 2011, 28 percent of U.S. workers took home poverty-level wages.
As large populations continue to suffer from unemployment and underemployment–especially black workers, who are routinely unemployed at twice the rate of white workers–it has become clear that America’s many half-measures towards curing poverty and improving living conditions are insufficient. To work towards full employment, and eliminating poverty, bold legislation is required: Universal job coverage with health insurance, offered at wages above the poverty line.
