The Bottom Rung

It is interesting how Ehrenreich did a study like thi, with making sacrifices to drop down to a lower class economic lifestyle. She wanted to feel what poverty was like, and answers the question of can you live on minimum wage (6-7 $'s an hour). Her answer is that low wages will not end poverty, she goes on about applications and what they really wanted of her, no jailtime and legally a resident. I notice she gets alittle sarcastic when she says "I have left behind so much...what i miss most is competence". Implying negative things about her co-workers. The article says that it is hte hardest to succed as compared to being and upper, middles class person or even being on welfare. Then you read Kristof and WuDunn's article about how sweatshop workers live on 1$ a day and if they get 2 then they feel blessed. And that sweatshops actually help the economy. Most Americans get the wrong idea about sweatshops, they overall help the people. Yes some of the conditrions are really bad but it means industrial revolution is now incorporated in that country and living standards will be raised. It is just funny to see the articles aside eachother for how 6-7$ a day won't keep you afloat and in East Asia 1-2$ a day is a great income.