迈克尔·格林：身为美国人，我的人生是一场谎言

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the inadequacy of the U.S. poverty line, which is based on outdated calculations, and argues that the real cost of living for families is significantly higher than what is officially recognized, leading to a misrepresentation of economic well-being in America [4][15][59]. Group 1: Poverty Line Calculation - The U.S. poverty line is calculated using a formula from 1963, which multiplies the minimum food expenditure by three, failing to account for modern living costs [6][9]. - The original formula was based on the assumption that families spent one-third of their income on food, which is no longer applicable as housing, healthcare, and childcare costs have risen dramatically [10][12]. - Current estimates suggest that a realistic poverty line for a typical American family should be between $130,000 and $150,000, rather than the official $31,200 [13][14]. Group 2: Economic Reality for Families - Many families earning around $80,000 are effectively living in deep poverty when considering the actual costs of living, which include housing, healthcare, and childcare [15][16]. - The largest single expense for families is childcare, which can cost upwards of $32,773 annually, making it difficult for dual-income households to achieve financial stability [17][18]. - The article highlights a "trap" where families must work multiple jobs to maintain their income, yet the costs associated with working (like childcare) often negate any financial gains [20][21]. Group 3: Systemic Issues and Economic Disparities - The current welfare system inadvertently penalizes families as they earn more, leading to a situation where increasing income results in a loss of benefits, creating a disincentive to improve their financial situation [31][32]. - Families earning around $40,000 receive government support, while those earning $100,000 face higher costs without the same level of assistance, leading to a "death valley" scenario where they struggle more than those in poverty [39][40]. - The article argues that the perception of economic prosperity is misleading, as many families are caught in a cycle of working hard yet remaining financially insecure due to the high costs of living [51][55].