"There are millions of Americans-one fifth of our people-who have not shared in the abundance which has been granted to most of us, and on whom the gates of opportunity have been closed." (2:208) March of 1964, ".marks the beginning of the civil rights era." (5) for many Americans. This date represents the start of a great program, "War on Poverty," that would give people the chance to accomplish things they never thought possible. Not only does this program help them, but it also will, ".boost up the economy by increasing our national output." (9) There are some critics that believe this program has failed, but this battle against poverty is still going strong, even today. .

             When Lyndon B. Johnson was elected president, right away he had a great relationship with Congress. Unlike Kennedy, Johnson was able to get his proposals passed through Congress easily. It was Johnson who created the program "War on Poverty." The program opened up a doorway to a new and better life for many of the poor people in the United States. This program stemmed from Johnson"s Domestic Policy, "The Great Society." Although this program, "War on Poverty," was not one hundred percent successful, it did a lot of good for the poor and even sparked the ideas of other social programs in years to come.

             Poverty is an ugly thing and can break a person who is forced to endure it. The poor must live a daily struggle to get just enough in order to survive. Imagine looking around and seeing so many opportunities for a great life, but they are all just beyond reach. Just this little tease from society can give hopelessness for the poor, especially the young poor. The poor are stuck in a constant circle of aggravation because they have no money to get a decent education, but they can not get a job (get money) when they lack the needed skills required by most occupations.