Data show one in eight Americans in poverty

[gorbal]

By Joanne Morrison

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In the world's biggest economy, one in eight Americans and almost one in four blacks lived in poverty last year, the U.S. Census Bureau said on Tuesday, both ratios virtually unchanged from 2004.

The survey also showed 15.9 percent of the population, or 46.6 million, had no health insurance, up from 15.6 percent in 2004 and an increase for a fifth consecutive year, even as the economy grew at a 3.2 percent clip.

It was the first year since President George W. Bush took office in 2001 that the poverty rate did not increase. As in past years, the figures showed poverty especially concentrated among blacks and Hispanics.

In all, some 37 million Americans, or 12.6 percent, lived below the poverty line, defined as having an annual income around $10,000 for an individual or $20,000 (10,500 pounds) for a family of four. The total showed a decrease of 90,000 from the 2004 figure, which Census Bureau officials said was "statistically insignificant."

The last time poverty declined was in 2000, the final year of Bill Clinton's presidency, when it fell to 11.3 percent.

(snip)

(Edit-I added the entire article by accident...oops:)

More here-
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=1276732006

[bluestateguy]

1. Not everyone makes it in George Bush's America

Your chances are certainly better though, if you are white and male.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. And your parents are wealthy.

The Horatio Alger myth is bullshit. It happens. But not on a statistically relevent scale.

[kineneb]

2. one of those eight

(you may need to edit the post for copyright reasons):)

Two of us- annual income from SSDI: $14K (under 125% of "poverty rate")
"Health insurance" provided by Medicare, Medi-Cal, CSMP (gov. programs)

Let's face it, any individual who is living on under $10K/yr is hungry.

[gorbal]

3. I copied more than I meant to, eeek!

There is a national action for a universal living wage that I want you all to hear about-

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=230x1155

Please spread the info around if you can. This is a really important topic and we need to make ourselves heard on this issue.

Thank you,

:)gorb

[ChiciB1]

4. Well, All I Can Say... Having Seen My Friends & People I Know

through politics is that so many are finding ways to cut back on many things. Just about an hour ago, my neighbor told me that she no longer drives with her AC on to "save" on gas. Something I've done for some time now. This is significant because we live in Florida and have had a very HUMID season this year. The only reason we have rolled up our windows of late is because of RED TIDE! The dead fish are piling up and unless you use your Home OR Car AC it's actually nauseating.

I myself am on Disability and will be going back to work in about 5 or 6 weeks because of insurance and tax increase in my area. Without me trying to work I KNOW I'm not going to be able to keep my head above water! I was FORTUNATE enough to be offered a part-time job with a local Health Care Agency and will be taking it. I do hope I will be able to handle this extra burden because right now on top of everything else, we care for my husband's mother. She has Alzheimer's and just turned 94. She's been with us for 7 years now.

My husband would normally be the one to return to work, but I am unable to physically provide the care she needs. Due to my disability I am unable to lift her up and help her with all her needs. I do consider myself lucky enough to be given the "opportunity" to work part-time at a job that will allow me to limit physical activity. I have some serious back problems due to a car accident, and my doctor keeps pushing me to have an operation for degenerative disk problems and scoliosis. It's NOT an option I can entertain right now. Actually, I DON'T want to have an operation anyway!

I feel so badly for so many others who are less fortunate than we are. I had always worked and we had saved money for our future through a 401K, but unless we have extra income, we will be unable to live on my disability and my husband's Social Security. He retired early so we could care for his mother. I'm not yet "retirement" age so it's back to work I go. It would be foolish for me to turn down this offer because it will pay a decent wage. Nothing to make me wealthy, but enough so we can keep from cleaning out our IRA! We have some land that we put up for sale and had it sold it would have been something to prevent my return to work, but the bubble is bursting so we will just wait it out and put it up for sale later. Not too many people wanting to buy 5-acres in Florida right now I guess.

But again, I do feel we are "more" fortunate" than many others I know.

[gorbal]

9. Sorry it's so tough on you though

I was just wandering around downtown Portland today, and I met this poor drunken man who was obviouly also mentally disabled. I got to talking to him and he was telling me how he had had jobs but couldn't work them due to his broken leg, and he couldn't get disability for some asinine reason, but at least he had a place to stay.

It just really got to me because my little brother is mentally disabled and the idea of him being ever being stuck on his own really saddens me. He is so much like many of the poor souls that come into the facility I work at right off the street.

My english is screwing up, I think I have been posting too much. I am glad I have this week off.:)

[ChiciB1]

17. Just Your Comments Are Indicative Of A Reality That Far Too Many

people aren't aware of. Even though I live in a small community, we are just a part of a linkage to the larger city of Sarasota. Because of where I live, considered by most as #3 per capita financially in the state of Florida, I see what is happening on the "fringes." It's kind of like flakes falling off a croissant, little bits at a time.

Just seeing this glimpse makes me uneasy because I think the insidious nature of how it's happening is going to blow up some day. Many will try to keep up an illusion and it's going to become more & more difficult. I don't know if some of them are going to be able to connect the dots and realize the extent of their stupidity. but odds are "some" of them will. I wonder where my heart will be for those at that time? It would be good if I can forgive what I see as peculiar behavior toward fellow Americans who I think have blinders on. I just don't know. Because there are times that I get so repulsed by so much they do.

But again, I DO consider myself better off than so many others. While the Katrina coverage brought so much suffering back to me, and makes me wonder just HOW so many people could have been that desperate here in america, I also know that "small" suffering is going on all over America and most of it's not even being given a 2nd glance.

But thanks for your sympathetic thoughts, I didn't write the post for sympathy... just wanted to add an experience that many are aware of.

[gorbal]

23. Your comments are intelligent and well thought out

I like reading them.

I get the same feeling walking down the street. I get such feelings of anger and dispair from people, and hear so much arguing I get a headache. People are at their breaking point.

[ChiciB1]

26. Thanks Again... It's Really Such A Shame... n/t

[Ferret Annica]

20. Saturday market let me go

Because the Skidmore Fountain Building at SW1st and Ankeny is eating them alive financially. I have worked at Eugene and Portland Saturday Market seven years and they wanted to break from someone who was getting higher then entry level wage.

They also have gone to a mostly illegal immigrant workforce.

I am a nine year Army veteran, and planted trees and from wildland forest fires for about two decades as well. Those jobs too have gone to immigrants who will work for far less then people like me will.

I am unemployed, bored, broke and alienated. Welcome to America, where corporate fascism trickles down to even entities born from an alternative culture reinventing the economics of crafting.

[gorbal]

24. I hope you report the company

If they are breaking the law they should be prosecuted. It disgusts me what people will get away with these days. They are doing something similar in New Orleans and getting away with it. Now many of the displaced residents of New Orleans can't find work while migrant workers are also living on the streets.

[ChiciB1]

27. Hey, Just Checked Out Your BlogSpot!

Very interesting! I didn't read very much of it yet, but I really really like it and will be checking it out in more detail! MY kind of place and very well done!!

[gorbal]

29. Thanks, I have another

Sort of a collection of links on making change with the narrow means we have is our controlled culture, you might find it interesting-

http://alterinfra.blogspot.com/

Do you have anything on-line to share? I didn't see anything in your profile:)

[ChiciB1]

30. No, Nothing To Share... I'm So Very Busy Checking Various Blogs

news links of others and working my butt off here locally even though I know we aren't really going to win. This is Sarasota County and you more often than not won't even have a Democrat getting elected here.

Home of Katherine "Cruella" Harris, however I must add that I actually don't think she won her last election. There was some funny stuff that I saw go on while watching the county by county returns in 2004.

Not only that, I can barely keep up with my email and haven't even taken the time to figure out how to post something in "bold" letters here at DU. I have 2 email addresses and try to keep up with so many others. Plus, I belong to other organizations around here... Florida For Peace, Venice Area Democratic Club, The DFA and also Meet-ups in the area.

I really envy those here who have done some very fantastic things, but I'm just someone who shoots her mouth off all the time! I've been trying to compose a compilation of pictures of our Chocolate Lab and haven't even gotten very far with that either. However, I have been "playing around" with cleaning up some of the pictures. Other than that... I'm out in the cold. I'm sure I can accomplish it, but there just never seems to be enough TIME lately!

I'm a political addict even though I stay frustrated most of the time. On occasion I've sworn off, but I always come back. Be back later... going to check Cafferty right now!

[gorbal]

32. Talking to people one-on one can be much more affective

Don't put down what you do, you sound like a winner to me. It is great that you are involved in so many local organizations. I have recently become involved with a group in Portland Maine, POWER, but I became frustrated with the groups in the little college town I was living in before.

If you see me posting an awful lot lately it is because I have the whole week off and can't really afford to go anywhere. I think I will go to the beach tommorow, LOL! I hope it doesn't rain.

[ChiciB1]

33. Have Fun... I Live About A Mile From Our Beach.... However

it's currently being attacked by Red Tide. And it stinks!!

Keep up the good work on your end, and I KNOW what you're talking about with certain meetings. I have found I had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found something close to a Prince! Not great activism here, but I'm pretty vocal!

I'm always wondering when or if they are going to throw me out!!

[gorbal]

28. I made a mistake in my post above but cannot edit

People can't find a place to LIVE. People can find work there, but no place to hang their hat. (I misread a "Democracy Now" Transcript)

[ChiciB1]

31. Your 2nd Blogspot Is Exceptional! You Have Really Been Working

around the clock. I put both of them in my favorites so I can check back from time to time. Really good stuff, and you are to be commended!

Well, checked Cafferty... I rarely check anything else on CNN besides Lou Dobbs. As for MSNBC... well it's Keith. I do have a Dish and watch more "alternative" news such as Democracy Now, INN and that type of stuff. Good documentaries too.

Don't you feel like your head is going to explode some days??? I'm going to go back and check out your 2nd blogspot because I saw some information I want to look at right now. The first one is really really nice but I feel I'll be checking into BOTH of them. You see, just MORE research I want to seek out and devour!

Thanks again.

[gorbal]

36. Thank you (blush)

I feel as if the 2nd is a bit out of date as I have been seeing in my web meanderings more and more interesting things going on and not adding them. PLease add any suggestions for links that you might have in the comments section. Alot of people are working locally and getting their local governments to adopt healthcare legislation and living wage ordinances...I said that before didn't I?

Well anyway...ehem...people are great, we just need more people doing it as their are less people with health care coverage and good wages now, despite all the good things people are doing.

I don't watch TV much anymore, so I got rid of cable. I can watch the "Daily Show" on youtube and use "Democracy Now" and Democratic Underground for most of my news, so I'm all set without it.

I'm going to try to somehow get to the York Beach area today. It's the last week I can use their shoreline trolley and explore the area. (I'm 33 and I can't drive)

See you tommorow, send me an IM I like talking to you:)

:)gorb

[Yupster]

38. If you can move to West Texas

there isn't a business in town without a help wanted sign right now. It doesn't matter what you do. We just need workers. The oilfields have soaked up everyone else's workers so everyone is needing labor right now.

[Igel]

11. There was a recent news story that

said, basically, if you do above 30 mph it saves gas to use the AC. Windows increase drag.

Don't recall if they even said if they were looking only at late model cars that are designed with the assumption the windows will usually be up or not.

[ChiciB1]

18. You Know, I Have Heard Something Like That... But "We" Aren't

seeing this information to be factual. My neighbor tells me she's saving about 3 miles a gallon. I can't make any comparison because I try not to use my air. Besides, I drive a 4 cylinder Celica and it's not a guzzler.

I too have forgotten where I heard it, but I wonder if it wasn't just facts being thrown around. I mean Big Oil and all. Of course, it could have been a scientific experiment, but these days I'm pretty cynical about so much.

[InkAddict]

40. I hear you, loud and clear.

but I wonder why the idiot powers that be can't understand that they can't collect taxes from those that can't get work, not to support themselves or to be socially responsible for those less fortunate. The corrupt "powers that be" are playing a game of passive-agressive murder with us all.

[Anakin Skywalker]

5. Rethugs Don't Care As Long

as their beloved 1% of Americans get their full inheritace (a form of INCOME, excuse me!) without the "Death Tax".

[JoFerret]

6. A travesty

Where is the outrage?

[democraticinsurgent]

8. NPR is among the clueless here

They ran a piece on "All Things Considered" this evening and there was much astonishment at how poverty has continued to increase despite the "great economy".

Some rethug expert tried to explain it as statistical noise resulting from welfare moms moving in with their boyfriends and taking down the income averages.

What "great economy" we continue to ask?

This economy sucks more than at any time I've been alive (50+ years).

And I hate getting reminded of the rightward bent of NPR, but I was in my car and I can no longer stand to listen to Ed Schultz. He gets three hours to Randi's one in Columbus. Ugh.

[rosesaylavee]

16. I heard that -

they were almost celebratory about the poverty rate staying the same. Woo hoo. Let's break out the champagne.

[whistle]

10. What was the percentage when Johnson declared America's war on poverty?

[gorbal]

14. 25%

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_on_Poverty

But they are still using an old fashioned system to decide who is poor and who is not. Back then, food took up more of a persons budget, these days, housing is much more expensive for people.

[Canuckistanian]

12. Reality Sucks

It would be nice to live in the fantasy world of Shrub's speeches.

[true_notes]

13. On NPR today

They were discussing the homeless problem in San Fransisco, and what little is being done to curb the problem. This correlates directly to the American poverty problem in the sense that there is a problem right in front of people, but they turn a blind eye to it and try to forget it.

Meanwhile, Joe Showboat is sitting in the bank running a 100,000 loan through so he can buy a boat and further his push to suicide because he is in fact poorer than that man on the street wanting a sandwich. America, America!

[spooky3]

15. ???statistically insig.? This isn't a sample, it's a population.

[farmboxer]

19. What I see looks even worse than that!

Bush is a very poor excuse for a human being. While Bush & Pals look at "We The People" as subhuman, it is they who are the subhumans! Only the extremely rich are human to Bush & Pals.

[soup]

21. and on the other end of the scale

Study links defense contracts, soaring CEO pay
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published August 30, 2006

WASHINGTON - The chief executives of corporations making big profits from the war on terror are enjoying far bigger pay increases than CEOs of nondefense companies, according to a study by two liberal groups.

The study, conducted by the Institute for Policy Studies and United for a Fair Economy, found that, on average, CEOs of corporations with extensive defense contracts are getting paid about double what they made before Sept. 11, 2001.

CEOs of other large corporations - without big stakes in the war - have averaged pay gains of 6 percent during the same period, the study said.

The highest paid defense CEO, George David of United Technologies Corp. - which makes Black Hawk helicopters and jet engines - took in $31.9-million in 2005. That actually represented a big cut in pay from the $88.3-million he made in 2004.

Halliburton Co.'s CEO, David Lesar, saw his compensation more than double last year to $26.6-million. Halliburton has been the top provider of logistical services in Iraq such as transportation and feeding U.S. troops, but has come under fire for no-bid contracts and allegations it overcharged the government.
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/30/Business/Study_links_defense_c.shtml

I had just finished reading this article when I saw your thread. Mind-melting.

[ckramer]

22. Bush's solution to this is dump 400 billion dollars to Iraq!

And stay the course!

[InkAddict]

25. Poverty figures grimmer for Ohio

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/08/30/20060830-A1-02.html

Urgent: Need political asylum immediately. Seeking santuary and sponsor due to purposeful and malicious retaliation unrelated to previous abilities to contribute to fascist corporate profit centers.

[krispos42]

35. Punishment. And a warning if Blackwell becomes governor n/t

[gorbal]

37. I remember the "Economic Rights Campaign" held a "Truth Commision" there

http://www.economichumanrights.org/index.shtml

The media completely ignored it despite the fact that Kucinich and a member of the Indian parliament attended. Winnie Mandela was going to attend, but for some suspicious reason there was a hold on her Visa.

[krispos42]

34. Bush Responds: "Is that all? Well, hell, we'll get right on that!" n/t

[sweetheart]

39. an ideal form of social control...

..is an atomized collection of individuals focused on their own narrow
concern, lacking the kinds of organizations in which they can gain information,
develop and articulate their thoughts, and act constructively to
achieve common ends. By many familiar mechanisms, that ideal has been approached
in dangerous but not irreversible ways.

-noam choamsky

[gorbal]

41. Well we are lucky there ARE organizations in which we can do those thing

They are just considered not worth covering by the media, even though they are huge groups spanning the entire country.