Well this is a blow up topic.  One that if handled improperly,  could cause a flame war. America has never known a lack of abundance.  We have within our grasp everything we could possibly desire.  And this rarely is appreciated.  Don’t believe me? Try being homeless here versus in other parts of the world.  I have lived out of my car. There were plenty of places I could go to get assistance.  At least one shelter I left because it felt too much like they wanted to keep me. Poverty is horrible,  but often in the USA,  it means not having enough to do things on your own.  In other places,  it may mean worse.  The things so often taken for granted are just not there.  Food,  water,  basic shelter,  a land not at war.