43.6 Million Americans Living In Poverty Is The Highest Number Ever Recorded

The Business Insider ^ | 9-16-2010 | Joe Weisenthal

[blam]

43.6 Million Americans Living In Poverty Is The Highest Number Ever Recorded

Joe Weisenthal
Sep. 16, 2010, 10:31 AM

This was expected, but it still hits you in the gut. Poverty in America has hit the highest level the Census has ever recorded, according to a new report out today.

Image: Census

[snip]

[PhilCollins]

My point is the amount of money that someone has, to be in poverty, according to the federal government. I agree with you, that many poor people choose to be poor. I agree that the government, espcially the federal government, spends too much on welfare. About four years ago, I wrote to about 15 U.S. senators and reps., and I said that each state government should be responsible for the welfare needs of its residents. I asked them to elminate HUD, food stamps, TANF, and unemployment benefits. That would save about 5%, from the federal budget, so they would pass an across-the-board 5% income tax cut. After they do that, some state governments would change their tax rates, if they want to increase welfare spending. I didn’t receive any responses.

[sarge83]

Agreed, I live in the mountains of Kentucky and most of those “in poverty” own their own residence, have a car and for damn sure have a working tv or more. Look at their super sizes and you know they are not starving or having to miss a meal.

My Dad a church deacon volunteered as a investigator for a local food/clothing bank a few years back. They would get a request for help for food, clothing, diapers, help with utilities etc... and him and another volunteer would gather the family/person making the requests information and investigate and recommend their findings.

One in particular was very interesting, they needed help with their utilities, electric, phone(which was running $300 a month!), water and cable bill. Upon investigating they found they owned their own house outright no house payments, had a car, no car payments, and counting all household income they were taking in a little over $3000 a month, PLUS food stamps and they all had medicaid.

When they went to the house they found three 50 gallon barrels running over with beer cans and cigarette packs and butts everywhere. They were denied any further assistance upon his recommendation.

Real poverty here in the USA, hardly.

[Ole Okie]

Thanks for posting that chart and discussion.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Quite the SPIKE UP in 2007 when the ‘Rats took over Congress...

I’m sure it’s JUST a coincidence though, LOL! *SMIRK*

[Qwackertoo]

Most of those folks don’t know what ppoor truly is.

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

I’ve been to Haiti and I don’t think I could ever see such poverty again.

[Outlaw Woman]

Please write about it. I’m very interested and I’m sure others are as well (or should be).

What was the most appalling thing that you saw/experienced during your visit?

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

There were rickety shacks built on mountain sides.The people were desperate to sell anything they could to us.(We wre re-routed there in ‘04 due to Hurrican Ivan).Royal Caribbean has a port there. What made me mad is that other passengers from the ship left empty cans,bottles,cups and cigarette butts in the sand for these poor Hatians to pick up.

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

I’ve been to the Bahamas as well and it wasn’t that great.These people aren’t so well off, either.There was a small boat carrying ship passengers to a particular location I don’t remember,and someone vomited over the side! Blech. I didn’t see the person vomit(thankfully), but they managed to get some of it on the inside of the boat. What fun that was.I don’t do well on rocking boats,either.

[Outlaw Woman]

Thank you for recounting your experience. Something I've always thought about when acquaintances have booked vacations in some of these places, particularly Mexico, is how they can, in good conscience, lay on a beach when there are starving people just out of sight. We have become such a hedonistic society most do not give it a second thought while they order their Pena Colidas. What you saw is representative of true poverty and what the other passengers did (leaving cig butts, empty cans etc) is representative of Western society's attitude toward Poverty.

This is only my own opinion but when I see flame throwing headlines like on this article, it should be pointed out what true poverty is.

Thanks again FRiend

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

People in this country have it easy compared to those in Haiti or even the Bahamas.I have been much less picky about what I eat,especially since these people would give their right arm to eat just about anything.I’m sure the other passengers forgot about what they saw while we were on the beach.(Some of them,anyway).I brought a rock back with me,just for the fun of it. It’s on my bookshelf. I’m surprised it wasn’t taken from me.(This was in ‘04).

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

I forgot to mention that I fried myself while on the ship! I could barely walk;I looked like a zombie from a horror movie. I didn’t go in the water because of it. Back in March of this year I went to W.Palm Beach and,once again,I got badly burned.Don’t use that spray-on sunblock;it doesn’t work very well.