Two stories from today's FT Weekend on the condition of the working (sic--most of these people work) class in America. The first documents new ways in which food is being distributed to people who are having problems paying for it (trying to pay off mortgages, etc.). Predictably, perhaps, it looks to be based--at least where transport is concerned--on the Wal-Mart model. The second notes the shocking increase in the use of food stamps in the last year or so. Here's a particularly telling excerpt from the former article: "People who used to donate to the food bank are now coming to the food bank--so imagine the shame,' says Shamia Holloway, communications manager at the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, which supplies food to the Community Ministry and 700 other local agencies."
How very American. Instead of changing society, we focus on individual shame. Meanwhile, many of those who should be the most ashamed take our money and gain more power, exhorting us to do more charitable work during periods of unemployment. Why do we put up with this?