Broke in America

""Written for the benefit of economic and governmental policy makers, Broke in America is thoroughly accessible to the non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject of poverty in the United States and what can be done about it—especially in the light of the new incoming Biden administration and its approach to improving economic conditions for the working poor and the middle class.” —Midwest Book Review ""This book’s greatest strength is its organization and clarity. Not another political statement that is sure to divide people into “camps” of opinion, this is a clear analysis of how public policy in the United States works to keep people trapped in poverty, rather than find their way out."" —Jon M. Sweeney, contributing editor for books and new media at Spirituality & Practice "". . . Broke in America pulls no punches about the reality and extent of poverty in the US, and the litany of reasons why it exists . . ."" —Julia Mandeville, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) ""The strength of this book is the authors’ street-level reporting on the daunting challenges many Americans in poverty face—even on matters as basic as safe drinking water."" —Timothy Lamer, executive editor of WORLD Digital and interim editor of WORLD Magazine ""Clear, concise, and packed with facts, figures, and suggestions for action, Broke in America shows that poverty is not the result of individual laziness or ‘bad choices' but of economic and social policies that produce inequality by design."" —Katha Pollitt, columnist for The Nation ""America is a country of paradox: the world's greatest wealth together with deeply entrenched poverty in its many forms, including homelessness, hunger, unsafe water, under-provisioned schools, and unaffordable energy, transport, health, and other basic needs. The authors open our eyes to these grim realities and how they can be overcome."" —Jeffrey D. Sachs, university professor at Columbia University ""Broke in America is a tour de force. The authors strip poverty to its bare truth. Millions of people in a nation of plenty cannot afford basic needs such as water, housing, food, energy, education, and mental health access. Thanks to Joanne Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox, there is no ignoring the immorality or the inhumanity of that—nor of the path forward . . . It is a timely call to action for anyone who dares to envision a world that does not resign children, seniors, or neighbors to poverty and suffering.""  —Rosa DeLauro, US Representative, Connecticut ""Explains why America must fix the problem of poverty rather than blaming it on the people it afflicts. Goldblum and Shaddox also offer a road map to a better future."" —Emily Bazelon, national bestselling author of Charged and Sticks and Stones ""In the richest country in the history of the world, an eye-opening and humanizing testament to the realization that no one should be poor. At a time of crisis when we are re-envisioning and reconstructing our relationship with government and with each other, this is the book we need."" —Mona Hanna-Attisha, author of What the Eyes Don't See and pediatrician in Flint, Michigan ""At a tumultuous time in US history, many of us are asking ourselves what kind of country we want. I hope that we can work toward the vision laid out in Broke in America: a United States without poverty."" —Jodie Adams Kirshner, author of Broke: Hardship and Resilience in a City of Broken Promises ""A valuable resource in the fight against poverty."" —Publishers Weekly ""An exploration of why so many Americans are struggling financially . . . A down-to-earth overview of the causes and effects of poverty and possible remedies."" —Kirkus Reviews