Time to End the War on Poverty

by Jacob G. Hornberger
Jan. 06, 2012

Wouldn’t it be great if some mainstream pundit were to ask the following question of the Republican presidential candidates: “Do you believe that the time has come to end the war on poverty?”

Alas, it’s not going to happen. The question would obviously be considered outside mainstream America and, therefore, not the subject of legitimate debate among the presidential candidates. Moreover, all but one of the candidates, along with all the mainstream press, are as enthusiastic supporters of the war on poverty as President Obama and liberals/progressives.

But the question should be asked. And the right answer is the libertarian one: It’s time to end the war on poverty.

After all, statists have had 40 years to wage their war. Aren’t four decades long enough? If they haven’t ended poverty by now, then why in the world should anyone believe that this federal program is going to be any more successful in the future? In fact, from what I understand, liberals/progressives believe that there is more poverty than ever before.

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