In a capitalist and consumer focused economy, greed may overcome the better angels of our nature. Equating the pursuit of happiness with material wealth likewise offers a false path to spiritual prosperity, because there is no limit to what is enough.

Half the jobs in the country pay less than $34,000, and a quarter of jobs pay less than the $23,000 poverty line. The Fiscal Cliff is created in part by inequality and this requires welfare reform. The priority is creating public policies through federal, state and local governments that support people in the effort to have jobs that pay enough to live on.

Having the right values is not enough. Without systemic reform the legions of the poor and those on the cusp of poverty will, indeed, be always with us.