1 in 5 in state can't get by (barf alert)

Denver Post ^ | 20 mar 08 | Elizabeth Aguilera

[rellimpank]

A study on self-sufficiency says 20 percent of Coloradans don't make enough to take care of basic needs.

One in five Colorado residents earns less than the amount needed to cover basic needs, according to new data.

The Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute on Wednesday released its second annual Self-Sufficiency Standard, which calculates a bare-bones budget for basics like food, housing, child care, transportation and other necessities. The standard, which is calculated for a variety of family types, including single-parent families and households with infants or older children, is calculated for all Colorado counties.

Ginger Wiggins is among those living below the Self-Sufficiency Standard, which is $33,856 for a single parent and a preschooler in Denver.

The college student budgets $450 a month, earned through her part-time job at

Starbucks combined with some public assistance. She and her toddler daughter live in subsidized housing, receive a discount on child care and depend on student loans. Still, even though she graduates in May, she faces a long road ahead.

[rellimpank]

---at least a few of the comments at the end of the article make sense---

[Arkancide]

20 percent of Coloradans don't make enough to take care of basic needs

Then how have they all survived into the 21st century?

[Jim Robinson]

I’ve got a great idea! Let’s tax the rich and give it to the poor. Then we’d all be equal. Gosh, using the power of government to solve society’s problems sure is easy.

[litehaus]

Does the “STUDY” include the ‘undocumented’ folks? /sarc

[litehaus]

Does the “STUDY” include the ‘undocumented’ folks? /sarc

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Well then, tell that fat dude to move over to the side!

[Cheryllynn]

“basic needs” = plasma tv

[dbacks]

Bull S4it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Digital Sniper]

When I was single and making just $9,000 a year, there was absolutely no help for me since I was (1) white, (2) male, (3) did not have any children out of wedlock, and (4) did not have a criminal record or a drug problem.

In short, I lived responsibly and within my means.

Was money tight? Yes. Did I live in a good area? No. Was it fun? No. Did it give me incentive to improve my lot in life? You bet your butt.

And my reward? Why, having 26% of my earnings shaved off to subsidize irresponsible people who either have no ambition or can't keep their knees together. Pfft!

[dbacks]

If the Pope believes wealth is a sin, then so to should sitting on your butt and letting others take care of you!

[Content Provider]

Then how have they all survived into the 21st century?

All that stuff was cheaper when they still lived in Mexico.

[xtinct]

According to PayScale... MSW earns $40,045 per year, Case Manager, Social Services $38,091.

This woman is going to school on the taxpayers' dime, housing, food stamps, child care... No doubt, she got the Pell Grants and other grants and scholarships.

Suspect the point of this article is to introduce new taxes to help this down-trodden student --> NOT

When will students learn to study for jobs that pay well: Accounting, engineering, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, etc.

Last thing we need on the planet is another bad teacher or social worker.

[I Drive Too Fast]

To get the money to help pay for college, I joined the USAF and served 4 years. I used the GI Bill at $348 a month to help pay for my college. I also rode my bike picking up aluminum cans to recycle and worked part-time.

If I flunked a class and it caused me to fall below full-time (12 qtr units - 3 classes) then I had to pay back part of the money I received. I made sure not to flunk any clasees and usually took 16 units and the most I took was 21 units one quarter (that was 5 classes plus a lab and that was a rough quarter, very busy).

Now at the same time when I was going to school a person drawing Social Security just had to register for 12 units go a couple of weeks, then could drop the classes and still received all of their money with no penalty. This wasn't right and eventually led to SS being dropped for minor children when they reached the age of 18.

If you thave the drive and determination you can make something out of your life.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

I’m sure illegals are thrown in there to make it look worse!

[doodad]

Ginger Wiggins is among those living below the Self-Sufficiency Standard, which is $33,856 for a single parent and a preschooler in Denver. The college student budgets $450 a month, earned through her part-time job at Starbucks combined with some public assistance. She and her toddler daughter live in subsidized housing, receive a discount on child care and depend on student loans.

Oh please. And the father's child care payment is how much?

[familyop]

The author forgot to add the alimony/support payment to all of that.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I hate articles like this. Pure BS.

Let’s take a look see...

Our household “Self-Sufficiency Standard” was $25,038.00 last year. Two adults and one kid in college.

We managed to pay $3,976.00 in property taxes.

We paid $7,930.00 in interest on our mortgage.

We were taxed AGAIN on the $953.00 State Tax Refund from the previous year.

We gave $585.00 to charity.

Where’s our f-ing parade?

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Colorado, the new West Virginia.

[LetsRok]

"$33,856 for a single parent and a preschooler in Denver. "

There is your problem right there. Poor people should not breed.

[rellimpank]

—when that has been seriously suggested to me, I always comment “yeah, but there aren’t enough rich people to go around”—that usually ends the conversation.