Does America have money saved? Margaret Canady, 2nd period

  According to two new surveys released this week, about a third of all American adults don't have any emergency savings, meaning at least 72 million people have little to no savings to rely or fall back on. 

  The surveys were released by Neighborworks America, a national nonprofit that supports communities. CEO and President of Neighborworks America Paul Weech stated, "We're concerned because our survey shows that many people are still digging themselves out of the hole that they found themselves in during the Great Recession.''

  Ideally, Americans should be putting aside 15% of their gross income for emergencies, retirement, and other goals. However, the survey shows that Americans are only putting away 5% (if any) of their income for savings.

  There is apparently a variety of reasons for this lack of savings, including a cultural tendency to spend rather than save, and stagnant incomes for working Americans.

  It is rather shocking that so many Americans are not preparing for the future, in case of unemployment or any other financial emergency. I assume that the 72 million people who are not putting any money away in savings cannot, in fact, afford to put the money away. So how do we solve that situation? Do we let the government step in and provide assistance to those in need, such as with FDR's New Deal, or LBJ's Great Society? How do we provide an efficient salary that allows families to make enough to plan and prepare for the future? It seems like there are recurring themes throughout history as the economy/government shift and change.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2015/03/31/millions-of-americans-have-no-money-saved/70680904/