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Matthew Desmond
In a conversation with Kelly Corrigan, Matthew Desmond emphasizes that poverty exists because a certain sector of people benefit from it. He shares the story of how his family ended up being evicted from his childhood home after his father lost his job. He discusses how the poverty line is determined and praises the supplemental poverty measure as a better way to understand the struggles of American families. Matthew claims that one way to combat inequality right now is to put an end to widespread tax evasion by corporations and redirect the savings to the most vulnerable families in the country. He calls for a shift in mindset, where we focus on reducing poverty rather than continuously subsidizing the wealth of a privileged few. Furthermore, he encourages those who have security and privilege to reflect on their own lives and honestly consider how they may be contributing to the problem. He moves on to talk about the housing market, and points out the imbalance of benefits received through the mortgage interest deduction by families with six-figure incomes. Reflecting on the origins of this program, initially intended to assist small business owners, he correlates its transformation over time to changes in administration and cultural norms. Addressing economist George Stigler's hypothesis, Matthew disproves the notion that raising the minimum wage would inevitably lead to job losses. Matthew also emphasizes the importance of fostering connections between people from different socioeconomic backgrounds. He believes that by bridging these gaps, we can approach the issue of poverty with greater empathy and veracity.
