31% of our population have income that is less than 200% of the poverty level, not because our 'poverty' programs are inadequate, (even though they are inadequate, but because of broad socioeconomic conditions. Policies and programs that are targeted directly at reducing poverty, in and of themselves, are necessary but insufficent to substantially reduce poverty. They must be one piece of broader policies and programs that address the social welfare of the population as a whole.

Janie