Poverty rate in the USA

Today this is a sensational topic.. But I think, looking in the wrong place. Percentage of people living below the poverty line – это одно. Second – this bundle of income. IMHO, the former creates much less negative externalities, rather than the latter. The problem is, that the second also creates positive externalities in the form of motivation. From here, the issue of income distribution is more politicized and polarized.