It does seem like the poverty line is arbitrary, and it does seem low. Is racism the explanation for every small and large thing?
Where does the article mention the constant money printing which is continuously devaluing currencies all around the world? Does a poverty line even make sense in a world where the currency depreciates quickly? How about measuring the poverty line in terms of currencies which do not depreciate in this way, such as precious metals? Why not mention that all governments all over the world are incentivized to overpromise and underdeliver because they own the money printing press? If a person who is supposed to have a background in economics, such as the author of this post, doesn't even mention this, then what hope is there for the lay person?