The politics of the Clinton-Gingrich era have rewritten the social contract and have shredded portions of the safety net. The poor and needy are lectured about responsibility and character. The rich and powerful, with their subsidies, tax breaks and easy access to all branches and agencies of government, are doing quite well. The gap between rich and poor in the U.S. is the most acute among industrialized countries. And it is getting worse.

Barbara Ehrenreich
Barbara Ehrenreich is a media critic, activist, lecturer and writer. Her articles and essays appear in The Nation and Z. She is the author of several books, including The Worst Years of Our Lives, Fear of Falling, Irreverent Notes from a Decade of Greed, Blood Rites and Nickel & Dimed.