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.
Have you stopped to think that if the Obama economy is as bad you say it will be then President Palin will have an overwhelming majority in 2012?
ReplyDeleteThere is, of course, no real poverty in America, where even the street bums have cell phones and drink cappuccinos, and income thresholds conveniently exclude government payments. It's entirely media- and government-contrived. "Poverty" is defined by those who stand to gain from the definition.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the "they have cell phones argument" (never mind that owning a cell is increasingly becoming a requirement in life). And god forbid that the poor have some small pleasure in life.
ReplyDeleteAs everyone knows, poverty only counts when it is the photogenically appropriate bleak despair of which there is no escape, that can only be alleviated--even if only temporarily--by the generous charity (that they, as the un(der)employed chaff of society should be grateful for as they do not deserve it because they conveniently refuse pull themselves up by the bootstraps) of the wealthy.
A "Rich Man's Burden", if you will.
Seriously, kid, people like you come in two flavors only: rich and stupid. I am doubting you are rich.
Oh I'll admit that the poor here in America are better off than the poor in say, Zimbabwe or Venezuela or hell even Greece right now.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how American Exceptionalism applies only to certain Americans however.
The poverty is a huge problem all the world. It´s a real fact. I think so, we have to see on the poverty with real open-eyes. The world´s governments couldn´t find short-term solutions. On the other hand, they´ve to find out right methods for us.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a source of casue of the poverty ?
I think so, the main cause of this problem is stagnant global market. The next „stop“ presents a bad circulation of money in the world and some unhappy laws. I´m optimistic. I believe that the increase of poverty will be stopped!