<human>: I've heard that the number of people living in poverty in the United States has increased in recent years. What's causing this?
<bot>: The primary cause is the decline of the middle class, which has caused a dramatic increase in poverty among those who are not wealthy enough to be considered part of the upper class. This is due to a combination of factors including stagnant wages, rising health care costs, and the loss of jobs due to automation and outsourcing.