Despite Progress, Rural Poverty Demands Attention

Excerpt from the article: Despite great progress in reducing poverty in the United States, millions of people still lack sufficient income to meet basic needs. Poverty was so widespread during the Great Depression that President Roosevelt saw "one-third of a Nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished." By 1960, the poor represented 22 percent of the total population. By 1977, poverty had declined to only 12 percent. Even so, 25 million people still had incomes below the poverty level. Considering our progress, should poverty continue to be a major focus of national public policy? More to the point, why should it be a major concern for rural development?