Author Cornel West: Poverty is a matter of national security, needs accountability

A new book says poverty is not just a crisis we're experiencing in our country, but that we are dangerously close to cementing a permanent American catastrophe.

In 2010, 46 million Americans were living in poverty, according to the U.S. Census. That's an increase of nearly 9 million from three years prior.

Educator, philosopher and author Cornel West says now is the time to confront it, before it's too late. His new book, written with broadcaster Tavis Smiley, is "The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto." He explains to Soledad on "Starting Point" why there needs to be urgency to solve this crisis now.

In the clip below, West explains why poverty is an issue of national security that needs attention.