Between 1979 and 1987 , the real wages of high school graduates fell by 18 % , while those of high school dropouts plummeted by 42 % . Stephanie Coontz : Government programs saved lives since LBJ declared ` ` war on poverty '' Smith : Despite gains among young and elderly , politicians began cutting safety net in the 1990s . She says mix of good economic trends , government help reduces poverty . Coontz : Market forces boost insecurity , poverty , yet pols wo n't strengthen safety net .
Stephanie Coontz : Government programs saved lives since LBJ declared ` ` war on poverty '' Smith : Despite gains among young and elderly , politicians began cutting safety net in the 1990s . She says mix of good economic trends , government help reduces poverty . Coontz : Market forces boost insecurity , poverty , yet pols wo n't strengthen safety net .