Poverty In America

The poverty rate in America is now the highest it's been in 16 years!  14.3% of Americans are now considered poor.  44 million people in America... one in seven... were found to be poor last year. That's a rise of eight percent over the year before.  Poverty means an income of $10,000 for someone who's single and $22,000 for a family of four. And adding to that dismal picture is the housing situation.  Lenders took back a record 95 thousand homes in August.  What's your reaction to the statistics on poverty in America?  And do you feel people in this country will ever be able to reclaim the "American Dream?"

Comments

[JW]

While there are some people that can't seem to get ahead no matter how hard they try, in general the " system " that is supposed to help actually traps them in it. There is no incentive to try because you loose benefits, don't forget if your in this income level chances are you also qualify for a host of govt. programs ( housing assistance, food stamps, etc) add it all up and the income is not that bad. We need to reform the "system " so it rewards effort and not penalize it.

[IMPEACH THE IDIOT NOW]

I do not believe in saying "I told ya so", but rather wish to proceed toward the positive to say "REMEMBER NOVEMBER".... vote! vote! vote!

[elohssa]

I know businesses that are crying for people, but they want people with real skills and knowledge, not high school dropouts and medieval lit majors.

These jobs start out in the $20/hr range and go on up. I checked out of it four years ago at nearly $100K/year.

Trouble is, they have unreal expectations of much of the job force with requirements like reading and writing, math above the "Jane has two apples and billy has four" and they actually expect you to pass a drug test and show up for work every day.

[Mom]

I am not surprised at all. Let's review the current picture of America.

The government is now in control of 1/3 of the economy.

The government has instituted crushing regulation on the financial and industrial sectors all but shutting them down.

The government has put in place a drilling moratorium on the portion of our economy that provides 1/3 of the US energy supply -- putting thousands of people out of work in the process.

The government is now going to allow for massive tax increases on every sector of the economy and every American family.

The US debt level is the highest it's ever been and growing exponentially.

The US unemployment rate is the highest it's been since the Great Depression and still growing.

Come on November....

[CTtcg]

I would like to know the statistics of poverty in the city of Lake Charles, Louisiana. I bet it's not a pretty picture.

[Jake LeBrun]

With about 1.5 million people on that special form of welfare called the U.S. Armed Forces, the taxpayer feels a tremendous burden. Unfortunately, it is unfashonable to question the salaries drawn by people who do nothing to provide a product or service to anyone. It is deemed "unpatriotic" to suggest that picking a fight with every nation on earth might not actually make us safer. The teabaggers say government is the problem, but they shout about how we should "support the troops". I support our troops every payday. I work for a living providing services for which someone is WILLING to pay, only to have my pocket picked by warlords and profiteers like George Bush and Dick Cheney. Invade Iraq to get rid of a dangerous dictator (who they previously had propped up), nevermind the lucrative contracts awarded to mercenary companies and construction firms that high ranking government officials had financial interests in. After the infrastructure of Iraq had been demolished, men there couldn't find work, but Americans were brought in to do all the work, at U.S. taxpayer expense. They destroy countries, then rebuild them, meanwhile we pay for both steps in the process. Now the economy has tanked and we can't get G.I. Joe off the dole because it would make competition for jobs even harder. Neo-imperialism has painted itself into a corner. I wonder how many people waving flags at the legions' triumphant return eventually found themselves under a centurion's sandal. The less a nation can afford military spending, the less likely it will reduce it. When funds are completely exhausted, the last enemy the U.S. Army will fight will be American citizens. Consider that when you are plastering your SUVs with "my brother is a Marine" and "We support our troops".

[Orelse]

I am of the Working - POOR class , I am the 50% who DO NOT pay taxes or contribute to paying down the national debt.
The " Good Book " says " Those who do not work , do not eat " After my 40+ years of feeding the " POOR " , I say so be it .....so let it be written .....so let it be done, I do feel sorry for you all but now I'm broke ! Click ! Click ! : ) and hungry : )

[asap]

Who dat...say we ain't got no money..Who dat..??
Here is one of the schemes that allow Louisiana's politicians and government appointees to make money....with our taxes.....they invest it, and become 'managers' of the funds. See the cities, parishes, school boards, police and fire departments invested here:

http://lamppool.com/pdf/LAMP_2007_AnnualReport.pdf

[asap]

This one is for 2008, a little more recent. the 2009 report is probably still being doctored. The purpose is to allow public corporations and municipalities around the state to have a place to invest their 'cash'...our tax surpluses. Kennedy loves us that much. See who he loves.

http://lamppool.com/pdf/LAMP_2008_AnnualReport.pdf

[asap]

I did find that there was over $2 billion in the LAMP pool as of Dec 31, 2009. Exactly $2,024,175,834. Times are really tough....for some.

See www.lamppool.com

[Mike]

As most of us know, statistics can support either side of any argument. It just depends on how you manipulate them. So the numbers don't really mean anything. However, I believe that most people have suffered significantly under the Obama dictatorship and will continue to do so until we can remove this cancer starting in November. Resourceful people will continue to get by, regardless of circumstances while the rest will complain and wait for someone to take care of them. That's the way it's been and it will continue. If you're a tick on the backside of humanity, you know who you are. As for the rest of us, don't expect too much sympathy...we're too busy working.

[tee boudreaux]

When you read a little further than the mainscream media, you'll find that America's "poor" are better off than most people on the planet, including a lot of Europeans: bigger homes, more cars, TV, cellphones, other "necessities". and for heaven's sake, obesity is a problem among our "poor".

Gimme a break!

[Scott]

The poverty rate in America is now the highest it's been in 16 years!

And people would have you believe our last president was dumb, and government should steal even more money from the private sector?

[jack]

Seems as it is so...
http://www.infowars.com/record-number-of-americans-living-in-poverty/

[curly]

Strange those 16 years ago poverty was at its lowest. 2 years after the first bush. In 2010 2 years after the 2nd Bush poverty level is low. Thank you for point that out Scott

[curly]

Strange those 16 years ago poverty was at its Higest in years. 2 years after the first bush. In 2010 2 years after the 2nd Bush poverty level is High Again. Thank you for point that out Scott.

[Jake LeBrun]

This is very strange. We've been in Iraq how long now? Afghanistan too? Surely the war is showing a profit by now!

[curly]

Jake the gas prices should tell the story

[Mike]

Poverty? We ain't got no stinkin' poverty!! You got a subsidized roof over your head, a free cell phone in your pocket and a free food card in your hand. That ain't poverty to me!!

[Honkie]

THE POOR do not pay our taxes , Oh Curly , gas was near $4.00 / gal 2 years ago and now $ 2.45 , your idea of Liberal math ?

[Honkie]

Curly , 2 years after Bush 1 was Clinton , 2 years after Bush 2 , Obama ............

Your Point is ? What part of Poverty = Democrats do you not understand ?

Hey Jakie Boy .........Kisses

[curly]

So what you’re saying is Obama Got the gas prices down but got the poverty level higher?

I had no point I’m trying to figure out things. It just alarmed me that after each Bush the country seems to be at the high of Poverty. Or does it only take a democrat to bring the poverty level high in a short about of time? Because it seemed to level off from 94ish -2010 had some ups and downs.

[Ron]

The relatively good news: According to the Census Bureau stats, the Lousisana poverty rate is the same as the U.S. rate. Probably the first time on record the state rate has not been higher-- usually a lot higher.

[Lucifer Loves Honkies]

Curly , Honkie isn't trying to say anything , you are ...... OBTW ........his majesty has influenced the price of gas with " employment disruption " you can't buy it @ any price if you are broke - The price goes down because of lack of demand - for all you DemoBamas , it is called Economics , supply , demand , you know , Harvard Terms : ) Don't get it ? Try Wikipedia- the new Dictatortionary for those who are too lazy to be informed. Remember - Never let a good disaster go to waste : ) Vote Democrat

[curly]

So $4 gallon was not because of the"oil crisis" it was because people had more money to spend? so i was lied to yet again by the bush administration. i cant believe i voted for him. Thank you for opening my eyes Lucifer