Put Me in the Poorhouse -- Please! (Who is really poor?)

Barron's on-line ^ | 21 July 2003 | Gene Epstein

[shrinkermd]

TO QUALIFY AS being poor these days, it helps to be a little wealthy. Or so it would seem. Of the 14.6 million households officially listed as living below the poverty level, 73% own a car or truck and 46% are homeowners, according to figures issued by the Census Bureau (see chart below).

[shrinkermd]

FYI. The true poverty rate is probably around 6-7% and includes many troubled and troubling people as well as recent immigrants. Class warfare and envy may motivate voters but what we call poverty in the US is just not equivalent to what is meant by poverty in the majority of the world.

[Sonny M]

2 things.

The Unites States is the only country in the world, where obesity is considered a serious health problem Among the poor.

People hear the words rich and poor, but it seems the average voter can't define which is which. Over at the DUmpster, those idiots will argue all day over whats poor, some of them think its anyone that makes over 70 G's a year, some even say a couple that is married that combines for over 80 or 90 g's should be considered rich.

One of things I have noticed at that board, compared to this one, is how much poorer and more jealous they are.

[yooper]

I don't know where you live, but I'll testify to the following where I live: If you want to see luxury cars, jet-skis, motorcycles and other toys, etc. you only have to visit your local public housing units.

[Freedom4US]

Well, it's all relative. Some who lament the plight of the poor in our country have no idea what "poor" really is. I do. Poor means no shoes, for a start. Anyone who's been through the depression probably understands what poor is, or anyone who first hand witnesses the total agony of Cambodia, or South America, etc, places like that.

Only in America - our "poor" folks #1 health problem is OBESITY.

No wonder people are scrambling to get over here, they know the inmates are running the asylum. Until one leaves the country for a spell, it's truly impossible to understand how crazy this place has gotten.

[Indrid Cold]

I'm a pawnbroker, and I can testify that most of my pawn customers (borrowers) drive nicer vehicles than I do. Then again, I'm loathe to pay the depreciation on new vehicles. Perhaps their appetite for luxury cars and toys can help PUT them at the poverty level?

[lmr]

I too worked as a pawn-broker and it seems many of the customers if 'poor' or 'having a hard time' sure brought in alot of nice things that they later came back for, especially Jewelry. What qualifies as poor? Most of the Mexican Immigrants in this town drive nicer trucks than what I have, and I have a '99 Suburban.

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

Is there an alternative to the provided link that is not for paying subscribers?

[NMFXSTC]

If the poverty line for a family of four is $18,900 we are looking at an hourly wage of $9.08. Yet...minimum wage is far lower than that...see a problem in logic here?

That is one reason why the welfare masses remain on welfare! Working at a minimum wage job, honorable as it may be, will not even come close the the poverty income level...why bother to work?