Poverty, by America

Desmond asserts that all of American society is complicit in the perpetuation of poverty and that, equally, all can play a role in ending it. Do you agree with Desmond? Why or why not?

Desmond argues that poverty is not principally a problem of money. What other factors—social, economic, political—affect the poor? What, in your view, is the relationship between these factors and ongoing poverty? Are there other factors Desmond does not address?

Desmond calls for people to “vote with their wallets,” rewarding companies with good labor practices and punishing those with bad ones. In your view, what would an “ethically sound” company in terms of labor practices look like? Do labor practices influence your consumer choices? Why or why not?