The tech-boom of the 1990's made America the richest country in the history of the world. Rich enough, one might think, to spare a few crumbs for the poor.
Politicians celebrate the lowest unemployment rate in years, touting strong wages and low inflation. But to Barbara Ehrenreich, the front-page news of stock market glory and slim welfare rolls wasn't telling the whole story: She wondered whether seven dollars an hour, or 8 or 9 for that matter, would really be enough to live on, never mind invest in the next dot com IPO.
So for three months, the social critic and writer put on aprons and gloves and Walmart nametags, living in motels, trailers, on handouts and fast food, trying to get by on low-wages in boom-time America. (Hosted by Dick Gordon)
