Michael Tanner joins us for a well-rounded conversation about what drives poverty in the U.S. including; felony convictions, lack of education, and housing policies. Tanner claims that in the U.S. there is no rational design behind our welfare programs, and that it is a conglomerate of special interests. The poorest Americans are among the wealthiest in the world, but that doesn’t mean that poverty does not exist in the U.S.How does the right and left vary on their ideas about how to alleviate the poor? How do incentives play into their rationale? Is there a racial aspect to how people view the welfare sate? Does redistribution of money work? How much does having a felony conviction diminish your earning potential? How does housing policy affect poverty?Further Reading:The Inclusive Economy: How to Bring Wealth to America’s Poor, written by Michael D. TannerThe Many Reasons to Be Thankful, written by Michael D. Tannerhttps://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/many-reasons-be-thankfulGlobalization’s Great Triumph: The Death of Extreme Poverty, written by Johan NorbergMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, written by Sam McLeodDon’t Muddy the Waters on Falling Global Poverty, written by Ryan BourneRelated Content:Libertarians and the Poor, Free Thoughts PodcastThe Libertarian Case for Basic Income, written by Matt ZwolinskiWealth, Poverty and Politics: An International Perspective, Free Thoughts Podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.