1 in 6 Americans in Poverty

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   Stacie Lposted 13 years ago

   Hope Yen, Associated Press, On Tuesday September 13, 2011, 4:13 pm
   WASHINGTON (AP) -- The ranks of the nation's poor have swelled to a record 46.2 million -- nearly 1 in 6 Americans -- as the prolonged pain of the recession leaves millions still struggling and out of work. And the number without health insurance has reached 49.9 million, the most in over two decades.
   
   The figures are in a Census Bureau report, released Tuesday, that offers a somber snapshot of the economic well-being of U.S. households for last year when joblessness hovered above 9 percent for a second year. The rate is still 9.1 percent at the start of an election year that's sure to focus on the economy and President Barack Obama's stewardship of it.
   
   The overall poverty rate climbed to 15.1 percent, from 14.3 percent the previous year, and the rate from 2007-2010 rose faster than for any similar period since the early 1980s when a crippling energy crisis amid government cutbacks contributed to inflation, spiraling interest rates and unemployment. For last year, the official poverty level was an annual income of $22,314 for a family of four.
   http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Nearly-1- … 3.html?x=0
   i thought it may be higher than that but it shows how tough things are for many Americans now..

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      Wayne Brownposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Poverty is a relative thing...while we may have people in America who fall below the line set by our learned ones in America to say that 50 million people fall below the poverty line...it is, at its roots a number derived from a mathematical formula.  From 2007 through the end o 2010, the Democrats had a super majority in both chambers of Congress...what did they do about  it?  This is not to say that if the tables were reversed thath the Republicans would have done any better in reducing that number.  We got here on the inability of both parties.  Still, I have to ask the question, "How much is enough?  How much do you spend on education and still call for more as being the solution?  How much do you spend on poverty and still call for more as the solution?  In either case, our nation, under either dominant party, has spent billions if not trillions on both subjects yet they are still there in our face.  Maybe money is not the answer.  Or, maybe the way in which we are spending the money is not the answer.  We are at a point in America when we must ask and answer these questions...throwing money at things has not solved the problem.  This is where we have to come together as a people.  We have to realize that spending all the money does not work and getting rid of all the spending does not work either.  We have to have real solutions to what are real problems and as much as our politicians in Washington may think so, money is not always the answer to the problem.  If we as Americans want to survive as a nation and continue to have the freedoms which we have enjoyed for our first 200+ years, then we must come together and find real solutions to real problems...quit buying votes with taxpayer money. WB

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         Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Hey Wayne,
         
         Money is just a tool. It's people's understanding of it, which is the problem.

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            LhouvieBlueposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            The urge to succeed is in our hands, this happens because we chose it to be..right?

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   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   This is what happens when people don't have the proper education and tools available. Not to mention, being held down by politicians and corporations(upper 1% of the wealthiest owners).
   
   It's not shocking.

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   Emile Rposted 13 years ago

   I saw an article about it today, too. It's so sad. I don't know what to do other than be thankful. That could happen to any one of us, with the economy the way it is.

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   lovemychrisposted 13 years ago

   This happened to me in 2003.
   Whenever I complained, people said, "shut-up, you whiner."
   
   It's now happening to those who had more to lose...but the ones who will NEVER lose are at the tippy top. You know, the ones who HAVE to have their tax-cuts extended...No Matter What.

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5. 59

   Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years ago

   It's Obama's fault.  This is what happens when you live in a socialist society.
   
   (just thought I'd beat the crowd)

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      Repairguy47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You're more right than wrong, he has contributed a great deal towards helping people become poor. Lot less jobs than there were before he was inaugurated.

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         Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Too late.  Pointless right-wing post has already been taken.

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            Repairguy47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Pointless to you maybe, most of America sees it differently.

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         Emile Rposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Hmmm.  I'd blame George Bush for that. If I was going to solely blame a president. Which I wouldn't. Congress certainly shouldn't be left out of the blame game.

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            Repairguy47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I know you would blame George Bush for it, you would blame George Bush for the Lindbergh baby kidnapping. You would blame George Bush for something Obama did yesterday, we know the routine and its not working.

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               Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               

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      Barbara Kayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ron Montgomery, Oh come on. We've been headed towards big problems ever since 9/11. They should have taken action long before they did and more action should be going on now.  No one thought it would get this bad or last this long.

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         Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Implying that it's not Obama's fault is un-American.  This is what happens when people do not watch FoxNews exclusively.

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         Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Barbara Kay, Oh come on. We've been headed towards bigger problems ever since the Federal Reserve Bank was put into place. So please...

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            Barbara Kayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            And you are both entirely correct. Oh, except for it being Obama's fault exclusively. It has do to with Congress, Bush, and Obama and in that order.

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               Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               And, every other President since 1913.

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            Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Obama created the Fed.

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               Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Now, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. Something that was created before Obama was ever born. Get real.

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                  Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Check your facts Bub.  There was no Fed before 2008.
                  
                  Check and mate.
                  
                  Ron Paul 2012

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                     Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     The Federal Reserve Bank has existed since 1913. So please...forget telling me to check my facts. You best come back to reality before you hurt yourself.

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                        Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        Wellllll....technically it did, but it didn't go Communist until 2007, which again technically means during Bush's term, but everything else that happened during that year was caused by Obama, ergo my statement is correct.
                        
                        IN YOUR FACE MAN!!!

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                           Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                           

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               earnestshubposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               

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   recommend1posted 13 years ago

   The figures show an element of the rich/poor divide is all, there are many more closer to that level than out of it entirely - and it is the same in most western countries.  Wealth-wise I am in the top 50% of the UK according to the last figures I saw about 18 months ago - I have nothing at all, over 50% of UK people are in a position of overall debt or negative equity.

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   BobbiRantposted 13 years ago

   I guess I'd like to Know what planet the rich and powerful think they will move to once they have fouled up their planet? Don't poop where you eat applies to companies ruining our water,air,food,you name it.  They have some'secret' planet to move to once they ruin this one? Money going to buy them clean air,etc?  Ihope their mansions and money taste good with salt and pepper.

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   lady_love158posted 13 years ago

   15% of the population and growing, them largest in history, brought to you by the poverty president, Obama! This is what socialism gets you people! Equal misery. Enjoy!

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      Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Another joke post I see.

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   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   Socialism? Obama? Liberals? Conservatives? Democrats? Republicans?
   
   All of these titles are a joke. You do realize that?
   
   The next you know....you'll be living under Religious Tyranny, and be no much the awarer of it.
   
   As for those who are pushing Ron Paul? He's just the next guy who is telling you what you want to here. Nothing surprising about that.

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    melodytsposted 13 years ago

    So sad to think that more people suffered because of recession. But as they say success lies on every individual hands. It depends on how determine and persevere he is in making his life succeed.

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