[ClearCase_guy]

Primary causes of poverty:

1) Out of wedlock births
2) Kids who attend public schools often learn little, and end up dropping out
3) Minimum wage increases lock young people out of starter jobs
4) Illegal immigrants lock unskilled Americans out of jobs

Do the Dems have a plan for dealing with any of that?

[PeteB570]

Yes, they do. Much more of the same.

Need to increase their voter base.

[Dilbert San Diego]

We fought the war on poverty, and poverty won.

Democrats started the war on poverty. Why don't Democrats step up and take responsibility for the obvious failures of the war on poverty, the way they want Bush to take take responsibility for what they perceive as a failed war on terror?

[mnehring]

How about all the reasons people lack 'health insurance'..

Sure there are some who cannot afford it, but you also have those who don't need it due to:

• Wealth
• Catastrophic Insurance
• Under government or schools co-op plan
• Under Medicare or other social program
• Simply choose not to have insurance

  Now, which of those was Bush's fault?

[50sDad]

It is worth also noting that a certain percentage (let's say 5%) of people are unemployable. They don't show up consistently, or quit for no reason; they can't read or write; they can't speak recognizable English (the "language of commerce") or they have such a chip on their shoulders that they don't feel they have to perform, blaming their failings instead on the idea that "others", for whatever reason, have it much easier than they do. The amazing thing is not that the "poverty rate" hasn't changed...the amazing thing is how many absolute idiots we are forced to employ!