Malnutrition, hunger and hard times in the richest country in the world are only symptoms of America's diseases.
We have many symptoms. Largest prison population, the most wars, the most expensive military, the largest frauds by the most people, and not last, and certainly not the least: the biggest and most expensive government. Dollar for dollar, probably the most ineffectual, wasteful, among the least business friendly of the industrialized nations, and openly corrupt government on the planet.
Malnutrition, hunger and hard times truly suck. But until and when we treat the disease, and not only the symptoms, we have less and less chance to improve the long term treatment and care of the patient.
Or to put it another way, until enough people give enough of a phuck to do something about it.