US Census: 37 Million Americans are Poor - fourth straight year in a row for increases
According to the AP press release regarding Census figures for '03-'04, America's poverty rate has risen for the fourth straight year in a row. The year's poverty rate has now risen to 12.7%.That's an increase of 1.1 million more poor people over 2003.
"By JENNIFER C. KERR, Associated Press Writer
43 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Even with a robust economy that was adding jobs last year, the number of Americans who fell into poverty rose to 37 million — up 1.1 million from 2003 — according to Census Bureau figures released Tuesday.
It marks the fourth straight increase in the government's annual poverty measure.
The Census Bureau also said household income remained flat, and that the number of people without health insurance edged up by about 800,000 to 45.8 million people."
I suppose 37 million will not be as lucky as our current president who now holds the record as most vacationing president of all time.
posted by The Voice @ 9:50 PM
7 Comments:
too bad probably Bush will never read this
and if? would he care?
I don't think so
Renee
Presidents should earn the minimum wage and should only get the minimum vacation time allowed by law.
Moreover, they should have to live with a family at or below the poverty line for two weeks.
On a separate note, I find it reprehensible that Bush flew out to California instead of visiting the Gulf Coast. He should be forced to live in the New Orleans Superdome for the next couple of days.
Or at the very least, cut the water and electricity to the White House.
I for one am glad he takes vacations. If he were working full-time, we'd probably be in WW III by now...
Oh if I had Harry Potter's power, I would take my wand and zap Bush to ... oh I can't say it, I might be accused of not being patriotic!
We all know that the Census is not inclusive of all the folks, so when looking at the complete picture taking all that into consideration, this is way pass scary.
Of course you know, according to the “have and have more” all the poor deserves is a kick in the butt!
Isn't poverty a subjective word? Different people have different criteria of poverty. I have met Thai people who have to make do with a grainy black-and-white TV and forgo shopping in the happening Siam Square BUT do not consider themselves poor. Then, again, I have friends who cry poverty when they cannot afford the cute Gucci bag.
It's quite a matter of perception.
Of course, when I see Sudanese refugees on the TV, poor Americans, Europeans etc are rich compared to them.
P&W,
No he will never read it. He's not known for his voracious appetite for reading.
Xolo,
I agree - with everything you have said. Unfortunately the man does not think that way. 'Compassionate Conservative' is such a misnomer for this man - the term seems, at least to me, an oxymoron. Oh well...
Alicia,
Be worried, Rove and crew are still busy at work - Bush is merely a titular head. While Bush is out clearing out the brush and bicycling around the ranch, his neo-cons back in DC are busy coming up with yet another strategy to undermine the war protesters – none the less, they still have time to be working on the start of WW III - but as usual, there will be no exit strategy. According to our great pumpkin, we will stay the course and damn those pesky war veterans and gold star mothers who want answers.
LP,
If you had that wand, you could say whatever you want. You are definitely on the money regarding the under-counting and therefore under-representation as related to the Census report. It is far worse than the tallied results indicate.
Saffron,
Poverty is poverty and yes, it is a subjective word - to those with a roof over their heads and, to those with their bellies full as well. Tonight, in America alone, 27 million people under the age of 18 years old will go to bed with pangs of hunger in their stomach. Undoubtedly, some of them will be among the planet's 33 million people will close their eyes for the last time and cease to exist because they have died of starvation and related illnesses secondary to malnutrition. Now I don't know about you but, that is a staggering number for me to fathom as happening on a daily basis.
While I can donate money to those in Darfur, I can do more than that in the US for my fellow countrymen - I can donate my time and I can speak out against the injustice. You may or may not not agree with my fight but it makes me feel better knowing that I can work for change - that is the American way. lest we ever forget that, this country will cease to exist because it will have betrayed its core principals. Now this is just my opinion mind you.
There is nothing subjective about death by starvation or even hunger for that matter. Hungry is hungry no matter where one is on this planet. I feel your concern as you articulate your thoughts here but please remember; people are also starving in this great nation as well.
The way I see it is simple, it is reflected in Abraham Lincoln's words, "The measure of a society is how it treats the least of its members." Where is the subjectivity in that statement for a neo-con? It lies in the amount of money s/he can figure out how to avoid giving to the government that made their 'success' possible.
It is plainly simple in America - we get what we can and ignore the others who are less fortunate. This is still a very giving country but the trend of greed and selfishness is growing the way I 'subjectively' see it. Of course, if I were pressed to come up with facts, I am certain I could.
I also agree with the poet John Donne, "any man's death diminishes me." I am not certain whether you follow my blog regularly or not but I wrote something a while back on a post that said,
"The measure of Humanity lies not in what we have acquired or want but in what we have given to those in need."
It is very similar in spirit to Lincoln’s quote. I realize now where I got the idea from. I think that pretty much sums up my thoughts on this matter. We never quit and we never give up on Humanity - we never quit being concerned for those who are less fortunate than we are. If we keep doing that, there is hope. If we keep questioning as you are, there is hope.
Thank you all for posting - you give me hope.
J
It is unfortunate to see so many americans in poverty and lacking health coverage. Health insurance is a major aspect to many lives.
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