working poor

Conservative politicians have spent the past few months venting their ire on America's entitlement programs, and the alleged mass of lazy layabouts who make use of them. But a closer look at who actually lands in the social safety net reveals some surprising facts.

President Obama insists that his agreement with Republicans will help working people avoid a pay cut. But as tax experts look at the full package more closely, it has become clear that low-end wage earners will indeed take a painful hit.

It's a dream assignment, to be sure. Work with a half dozen "Life coaches" and report back on the findings in the pages of a major magazine. It didn't take long for me to identify areas I needed "coaching" in, and procure the necessary people.But one area vexed me greatly. I had written in my...