According to new census data released on Tuesday, the number of Americans living in poverty in 2010 reached 15.1% of the population. (The federal government sets the poverty line for a family of four at $22,314 in annual income. For an individual, the amount per annum is $11,139.)
Forty-six million people in the United States are living in poverty. One of every six. Right here in America.
We're hittin' the skids, people.
Check this story from Indiana:
Or this from Washington, DC:
Even the most tax-begrudging conservative can see that not all of these people are dead-beats and loafers. These are not irresponsible people who can't manage their money correctly. They aren't basement-dwelling stoners or welfare queens. These are people who, ten years ago, were living more-or-less middle class lives; whose jobs were destroyed in the wake of the massive financial collapse at the end of the Junior Bush era.
Meanwhile, corporate profits are up 8.3% over 2010, which was itself a record year for corporate profits. These are profits reaped by the same corporations that extorted the federal government out of billions in tax-payer bailout dollars in late 2008. Bail-out dollars that were necessary because of the criminal behavior of corporate executives motivated by greed.
Someone, please tell me... How can a reasonable person argue that the solution to the problem of poverty in the United States is to eliminate corporate taxes and slash social programs?
Or, if that question doesn't suit you, try this one: How long before we start seeing the riots and social upheaval that are precursors of something much worse?
2 comments:
The poor and middle class are quickly becoming the next Native Americans in this country. Rez after rez has looked this way for ever and despite what white people think of the indian casinos they have made no difference at all for 95% of the tribes that sill live on reservations. The displaced people of this country have been in social upheavals for along time with no one listening and really not enough caring. Riots are an interesting thought I don't think riots can make a difference the gov is to well prepared and if people would try to organize they can't use comp or their phones so it will be interesting and of course sad.
Having spent three decades of my life in the US it boggles my mind to even contemplate these numbers of impoverished Americans. I mean the numbers are much worse in South Africa but that goes without saying - South Africa does not even have the GDP of the state of Maryland (if it were a country) and ten times as many citizens.
This is sad brother ... very sad.
Onward!
Ridwan
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