Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of "The Working Poor" by Dave Shipler, builds the framework for the entire book. Chapter one introduces what Shipler titled the book after, "The Working Poor." Basically this grouping of people is the vast majority of citizens in the US who are indeed working steady jobs yet they struggle to get by with their earnings. Shipler mainly places the blame on the government. He looks at how big business an federal taxes break down and destroy people with honestly livings such as those who create, "Mom and Pop shops." The Author later goes on to spreading the blame to bad spending habits. He talks about people who have money and food in the fridge but who would rather go out and buy dinner rather than trying to save. With all the money in the US constantly flying around through checks and trades and banks, the average citizen still finds themselves not being able to afford everything they need for a comfortable life let alone by themselves luxuries. Thus with all these poor habits and being swindled by the government right under their nose, the average citizen has become, "The Working Poor."