Recently, a term has been trending online — the "kill threshold" for Americans. Many people think this phrase is exaggerated; after all, the U.S. remains the wealthiest country in the world. How fragile can ordinary people really be?

But I looked into discussions among American netizens and found that not only do they acknowledge it, but they also reveal even more heartbreaking details.

**The numbers are straightforward: nearly 40% of Americans cannot cover a $400 emergency**

The Federal Reserve’s survey results are clear. A car breakdown, dental treatment, an unexpected injury — any of these emergencies can break through the limited safety net of nearly half the population. At that point, there’s really no room for maneuver.

**Why can’t gig work help people turn things around?**

Many’s first reaction is: just deliver food. But the reality is much harsher.

First, delivering food requires a car, fuel, and insurance. Car insurance costs in the U.S. are outrageously high. Second, for those already in trouble, a car is often the first asset to be sold to pay debts. As a result, the gig economy becomes a side job only for car owners, not a lifeline for the poor.

**The real poison: asset review system**

This is the most helpless part. To receive aid (like food stamps), many states require your total assets — including bank savings and vehicles — not to exceed 2000.

What does this mean? It means you have to spend all your savings and sell your car to become destitute before you can get help. The system traps you at the bottom and doesn’t give you a ladder to climb out.

There’s a saying that hits the mark: "Homelessness is not a system flaw, but a feature. The existence of homeless people is the ultimate scare tactic for working people."

Because there’s no real safety net, falling into hardship means an endless abyss. So, you have to accept low wages, fear taking leave, and work overtime desperately. This is the true logic of the entire system.