We are not poor, we are asset limited, income constrained, employed Americans. United Way has dubbed the 43 percent of households that struggle to afford the basics to live: “ALICE” (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). This group makes less than what’s needed “to survive in the modern economy.”

We have no money. We work full time. We have no money. We hold three jobs, work seven days a week. We have no money. We stub our toe and can’t get around, we are on the street. To be ALICE is not pleasant. We have no money. We pretend we have money. We have no money.

We are made to feel ashamed. To have no money is shameful. What is the matter with you? Lazy, good for nothing.

“America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, but its people are mainly poor, and poor Americans are urged to hate themselves. … It is in fact a crime for an American to be poor, even though America is a nation of poor. Every other nation has folk traditions of men who were poor but extremely wise and virtuous, and therefore more estimable than anyone with power and gold. No such tales are told by American poor. They mock themselves and glorify their betters.” — Kurt Vonnegut,  “Slaughterhouse Five”

ALICE people, you are OK.

Peter Engstrom

Fairmont