The increase in poverty world-wide, as well as in the U.S., which has the widest split now between the rich and the poor, is a major national and international threat as great, if not greater than, terrorist attacks. The U.S. now has the largest proportion of its citizens incarcerated of all nations -- 2 million or roughly 1/4 of all those imprisoned globally (while the U.S, represents 1/20 of the world's population). Failures in our educational, medical delivery, and other support systems for poor children are directly correlated with crime and punishment. Poverty in developing countries threatens not only unrest (a foundation of terrorist resentments), but also severe health risks that can spread rapidly everywhere and dangerously drains our natural resources This discussion group will focus on ways to diminish and ultimately end poverty both in the U.S. and abroad. Its assumption is that the U.S., as our current one and only superpower, should be the world's leader in this effort. The list will not be moderated, but those who offend by attacking others viciously will be warned and, if necessary, removed from membership.