Posted on 08/13/2011 5:03:45 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Each year for the past two decades, the U.S. Census Bureau has reported that over 30 million Americans were living in “poverty.” In recent years, the Census has reported that one in seven Americans are poor. But what does it mean to be “poor” in America? How poor are America’s poor?
For most Americans, the word “poverty” suggests destitution: an inability to provide a family with nutritious food, clothing, and reasonable shelter. For example, the Poverty Pulse poll taken by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development asked the general public: “How would you describe being poor in the U.S.?” The overwhelming majority of responses focused on homelessness, hunger or not being able to eat properly, and not being able to meet basic needs.[1] That perception is bolstered by news stories about poverty that routinely feature homelessness and hunger.
Yet if poverty means lacking nutritious food, adequate warm housing, and clothing for a family, relatively few of the more than 30 million people identified as being “in poverty” by the Census Bureau could be characterized as poor.[2] While material hardship definitely exists in the United States, it is restricted in scope and severity. The average poor person, as defined by the government, has a living standard far higher than the public imagines.
As scholar James Q. Wilson has stated, “The poorest Americans today live a better life than all but the richest persons a hundred years ago....
(Excerpt) Read more at eurasiareview.com ...
There are statistics that support that. The poorer you are, the fatter you are. Rich people in this country are thin generally. Especially women. Rich guys can carry a few extra pounds, but I can’t think of a billionaire who is morbidly obese. The only multi-millionaire I can think of who is severely obese is Michael Moore.
The US is in the “Political play for useful idiots” type of poverty.
What’s in poverty is the US? A lack of decorum.
You ever been to Honduras?
That statement is a joke.
Wow, I must be destitute then. I have A/C. THe only reason it’s running now is that there is smoke from a forest fire 100 miles away. Oterhwise, we only run it if it’s over 90F and we run at at around 78. Can’t afford it otherwise. No cable, can’t afford and don’t want. Just got a Wii but it was a gift. I make a good income and am barely making ends meet while these leaches do nothing but take and take and live a better lifestyle. I’m gettin fed up.
If it’s not seedy, I give you six months . . .
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That statement is a joke.
Is it?
The little country of Honduras probably have more television stations available than some rural Americans. Here is just one site with over a dozen stations, in fact according to this one site, many television stations in Honduras have news, and most have live broadcasts in addition to online web-casts.
On-line webcasts? Who would of thunk it.
Here's a link:
http://www.honduras.com/television-stations.html
A DYNAMITE video on this very subject here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkebmhTQN-4
If a popular criminal gets arrested the local public housing may erupt in riots complete with racist connotations galore. The local authorities feel obligated to rein in the LEOs. The local authorities do not want to be lite up as racist. Everything is back to normal in the ghetto.
Of course they are fat. They cannot afford a gym membership, you unfeeling cretin! ;P
been saying since Dec of 09 that anyone who wants welfare in this country should have to spend 6 months in Afghanistan living in a mud house with no heat, no bathroom and no running water so they can truly understand what being poor really means
I am right there with ya'. I cut cable a few years ago, run the AC only when it is over 90 and then set at 75-80 depending on humidity levels. Buy food through Angel Food Ministries and supplement with stuff from the Dollar Store. I can't tell you the last time I went to a regular grocery store? Can't afford it! No game box things here...only luxury left is my internet connection. It has been a long time since I've seen the inside of a restaurant too. New clothes for summer was two pairs of shorts bought on sale from Walmart and a few tank tops.
I don't get any government handouts, I really don't want them.
I'm doing all I can to keep my head above water, but it is getting harder every month. Some basic bills are getting skipped 'cause the money just ain't there or they get underpaid...gas, electric.
My "nice SUV" in the driveway is my work. It is needed for the operation of my business and yeah...it feels funny to pick-up food from the church in it, but it is what it is right now. My money needs to go to it and it needs to be dependable.
I'm worrying about winter. Last winter we set the thermostat at 60F wore sweaters and covered up with throws to stay comfortable. I don't know how we'll do it this winter. I've been tucking away 10% off every job, but it ain't going to be enough I don't think.
My biggest concerns in the next six months....taxes. Taxes on my property and income. Business compared to LY is up over 75%, so we're making headway...we've gone from living off the LOC to looking to start paying on the LOC. So we're headed in the right direction, but in another few months and other concerns start to creep in. Like 0bamacare concerns and taxes and just general uncertainty affecting me or my clients.
Interesting that so few households - not just poor - have a separate freezer. That is one of the best ways to save $ (buying things on sale and stocking up), but along with cooking from scratch, not “worth” it to most.
Oprah.
Oprah.
AlGore.
In this nation being poor is being obese. In a declining number of third world nations, being poor is being underweight and starving. With the standard of what equals poverty going up everywhere, we can only expect a tough time dealing with what would have been trivial in the past.
What an upside down world. We have so much bounty that our poorest citizens can have access to enough calories that make them 400lbs. Even Henry the VIIIth wasn't that big, and he was known for his feasting.
Isn’t it simply amazing how people can stay so ridiculously fat and be on food stamps. Just amazing!
I know what you mean, I’m getting pretty frustrated lately too. We have started to sacrifice a lot to cut costs all while my family is paying for somebody else’s free ride. The family that lives on the other side of the street are “poor” and have had their utilities paid for them through some program. Yet they leave the porch light on all night, charge the battery for their kids motorized car, have just about every light on in the house all the time and I’m sure they run their A/C 24/7.
What a wonderful world!
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