The poverty rate jumped to 14.3 percent in 2009, up from 13.2 percent a year earlier and the highest rate since 1994, the Census Bureau said Thursday. Last year, a record 43.6 million people were in poverty, up from 39.8 million in 2008 — the third consecutive increase.
"The number of people in poverty in 2009 is the largest number in the 51 years for which poverty estimates have been published," the Census Bureau said.
I doubt 2010 will be any better. Or 2011 or 2012 for that matter. The American middle class is disappearing, and yet we're still arguing over wheter or not to extend tax cuts to the wealthiest among us at a time when taxes the rich are paying are at historic, generational lows.
The good news is the all the bickering by the GOP over the Bush tax cuts is finally, finally beginning to trigger a response from the American people.
If the Republicans win control of Congress in November do you think they will try to return to the economic policies of George W. Bush or won't they try to return to the policies of George W. Bush?
Return to policies of George W. Bush 47
Won't return to George W. Bush policies 36
There's a reason why Republicans want to bury the Bush tax cuts discussion. Well, the smarter Republicans anyway. Orange Julius signaled this over the weekend, but Mitch McConnell cut him off at the knees. Republicans keep talking about extending the Bush tax cuts, and the public is finally getting the message that the GOP wants to go back to Bush's economic policies.
The Dems need to pounce on this for the next six weeks.
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