Economic report card: C-

[techweenie]

Just like his college grades, GWB is not scoring well on economic measures:

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Nearly 36 Million Americans Living in Poverty

Aug 26, 10:28 AM (ET)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some 1.3 million Americans slid into poverty in 2003 despite the economic recovery, and children and blacks were worse off than most, the government said on Thursday in a report certain to fuel Democratic criticism of President Bush.

The percentage of the U.S. population living in poverty rose to 12.5 percent from 12.1 percent in 2002, the Census Bureau said in its annual poverty report, seen by some as the most important score card on the nation's economy and Bush's first term in office. The ranks of the poor rose to 35.9 million, a boost of 1.3 million.

Health care coverage also dropped last year and incomes were essentially stagnant, the Census Bureau said in its annual poverty report, seen by some as the most important score card on the nation's economy and Bush's first term in office.

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'Despite the economic recovery?' LOL. Aren't we down in all measures from where the US stood when GWB was inaugurated? Some 'recovery.'

[gaijinda]

Cut off immigration and make it illegal for kids to have kids and those numbers will vastly improve. The former is not going to happen soon, and the latter is not going to happen ever.

To pretend that this economy is so bad that formerly middle class folks are sliding into "poverty" in large numbers is totally misleading.

[techweenie]

The immigration problem hasn't changed in the past 3-1/2 years, except for GWB's mention of 'amnesty' last Fall that caused a surge.

The teen birth rate is steadily declining.

The economy is bad, but I haven't seen anyone claim middle class people are sliding into poverty, only that their incomes have dropped an average of $1500.

[gaijinda]

Reuters reports: "Some 1.3 million Americans slid into poverty". The implication is they slid from someplace. And gravity being what it is, most folks will assume they slid down.

I wonder, what was the increase in US population in the year 2003??

[nostatic]

they also report percentages, which takes the population increase into account. Still going the wrong way.

[techweenie]

Originally posted by gaijinda
Reuters reports: "Some 1.3 million Americans slid into poverty". The implication is they slid from someplace. And gravity being what it is, most folks will assume they slid down.

:-)

Yes, gravity doesn't even change for political affiliation.

I suspect 1.3 million slid into poverty from the lower class of income earners, not the middle. It would be itneresting to read the full report...

[gaijinda]

If you want to understand poverty as an issue over the past 30 years, I suggest you look at percentages. Percentage of US population that is foreign born? (Do you really think most folks are going to step off the boat into a middle class lifestyle?? I know mine didn't!) Percentage of children born to single parents? Percentage of children born to teen mothers?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Last I checked it WAS illegal for kids to have kids. Once the girl is knocked up though, what are you going to do? Lock her up? Lock up the father (the kid will be better off for that - NOT!), forced abortion? Forced sterilization for repeat offenders? What?

I bet you believe that teaching abstinance works and we shouldn't promote or distribute birth control or have sexual education for kids either. . .

GMAFB!!!

[gaijinda]

Young Sir. Breath. Repeat as necessary. Then read my first posting.

If the subject of "poverty" is going to be brought up, we should be able to explore this issue without you insinuating that I would resort to Nazi tactics.

Your not a kid, your old enough to drive. Look around. In this modern America where does poverty come from? Try an original thought. What do you think??

[Moneyguy1]

Gai:

Percentages are just that, and do not rely on increases or decreases in the subject population

Also, I deal with people every day and their financial problems. It is interesting that I see more and more who are on the brink of losing it all, either through poor economic decisions or outside circulstances like layoff or catastrohic illness that is not covered.

True, there is an element of poverty that is caused by immigration. In another thread I mentioned the lawsuits against Target and WalMart contractors working immigrante as janitors for $4 an hour, seven days a week, no overtime and in cash without workers comp, Social Security or taxes taken out. But that is small potatoes in the overall scheme of things.