Shocking New Statistics On Poverty In America

Shocking New Statistics On Poverty In America
D. Mixner


Poverty As the nation was rivited to the looney bird pastor down in Florida who was going to burn the Koran, a report by the Census Bureau was released on poverty in America. By all rights, this story should have been the lead story around the country. One of the great shames of our country is that we refuse to even acknowledge the poor let alone ease their burden. America is this little white cottage on a street that is beautiful in the front and crammed with our poor in the backyard.

The statistics are simply shocking in scope and are based on the 2009 census figures. Here are some of them:

-In one year the poverty rate in America went from 13.2% to 15%. -that means more than 1 in 7 Americans are now living in poverty and represents nearly 45 million Americans!

-It is the highest single year increase since the records started to be collected in 1959.

-a disgusting 20% of our children live in poverty. That is one of every five children in America are not getting enough food, care and resources.

-This "Great Recession" that we are in will push the 'working age American' poverty rate to the highest level in 50 years. T

The report said it defined the poverty level as:

"In 2008, the poverty level stood at $22,025 for a family of four, based on an official government calculation that includes only cash income before tax deductions. It excludes capital gains or accumulated wealth. It does not factor in noncash government aid such as tax credits or food stamps, which have surged to record levels in recent years under the federal stimulus program."

For my readers of this blog, I challenge you to sit down and write out a monthly budget on $1,012 for a family of four before any deductions from pay checks. Really, take a minute and do it. I attempted it and was so depressed as a single person attempting to live on that much a month.

Finally, the report says it is only going to get worse:

"Beginning next year, the government plans to publish new, supplemental poverty figures that are expected to show even higher numbers of people in poverty than previously known. The figures will take into account rising costs of medical care, transportation and child care, a change analysts believe will add to the ranks of both seniors and working-age people in poverty."