35.9 million people in Poverty in the USA

by caveat empor Fri Aug 27, 2004 17:33

Thats (39.5m/240m) 14% poverty USA
and (700,000/4.5m) 14% poverty Ireland.

One in Six,

But what defines poverty, im sure poverty as we call it in 2004 is different from poverty in 1934, or even 1974.
And what we call poverty in the 'first world' doesnt even approach the degree of deprivation in the third world.

These figures are worthless without context.

by R. Isible Fri Aug 27, 2004 20:05

Disproportionately affected are children and black people. Health-care coverage declined and incomes were "stagnant".

by iosaf Fri Aug 27, 2004 20:33

So do our panel of experts concur that the average poor american is poorer off now than in 1934?

by Graal Sat Aug 28, 2004 03:44

As stated above, it's all relative.

If the US really was sinking into the mire, would Mexicans still be flooding across the border?

Come off it folks. The USA is the greatest country in the world, thanks to it's hardworking, Christian, patriotic, conservative values - not the decadent US values you get from Hollyweird.

Bush - Cheney! Another four years!!!

by Angry Sat Aug 28, 2004 10:50

Mr/Mrs Graal

Only a person outside the 14% would write that poverty is all relative.

The USA is the richest country in the world! Its so called democracy cannot ensure that all live without poverty. I will preempt your inane response to this truism will go something like this; well poverty is necessary to reward endevour/ the poor are poor because they dont contribute to society/inequality is integral to a boyant economy.

All tosh. Do yourself a favour and take the time to listen to Chomsky. If you can't be bothered, well its obvious you have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

by j26 Sat Aug 28, 2004 14:04

I thought the 14% sums looked a little suss, so I checked out the numbers

Ireland 0.7m/3.9m = 17.9% (population from last census)

USA 35.9m/294.1m = 12.2% (US Census estimate as of today)

By these stats Ireland has a higher level of poverty than the US.

Recently one of the newspapers compared us to individual US states. We came off as 12th poorest if I remember correctly. Given that poverty is usually defined as below 50% of median income, then it would seem that if we were compared as a US state (it would make sense at this stage - we have given away our identity) then probably about 1 in 3 people in Ireland would be considered to be in poverty by US standards

In relation to child poverty see http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/eco_chi_pov
We are the third worst in Europe behing Italy (Berlusconi) and the UK (New Labour). Compare it to most of the rest of our European partners.

by Akrasia Sat Aug 28, 2004 18:42

$9,000 fir a single person and $18,000 for a couple and 2 kids.

by iosaf Sat Aug 28, 2004 20:20

(the slogan of the US census department.)

read the info at the link from the "horses mouth". And note that in many ways poor americans are very much worse off today than in 1934.
And in some other ways they are very much better off.

They have TV now.
They also legally have alcohol.
They have vaccinations for TB (which don't work)
They don't have polio but they do have HIV/AIDS.
They can't get into an art gallery or a museum free but they do have the internet.

by ben Sun Aug 29, 2004 01:44

I'm just about to go back to university in a few weeks as a mature student after over a decade of low-paid jobs (my last was €15000 per year). I haven't a pot to piss in and am relying on a maintenance grant, a small credit union loan and the kindness of a third party for lodgings (I was evicted from my last flat for non-payment of rent).
Right now I consider myself 'poor' by anyone's standards, and will continue like this until I get my degree in a few more years and hopefully start a good career. But I won't be on the 'poverty list' because I'll be regarded as a full-time student! My own case is an example of how statistics can be misleading or inaccurate and mask reality as I'm sure there's plenty more like me out there, including some of the 6700+ other 'mature' students starting third level in a few weeks? I don't know for sure how cases like my own effect the overall statistic, but I would treat the types of statistics on poverty discussed here with a little bit of suspicion, especially as I read recently that about 900,000 people in Ireland are on some sort of social welfare! Add to that all the low paid workers that aren't recieving government help, and the thousands of homeless that probably aren't on the list and that would be a larger amount than the official figures. Are 'normal' third-level students from poor backgrounds in that poverty figure too? Perhaps my impending Sociology lectures will give me a few more insights on this!

by K Mon Aug 30, 2004 08:22 new york

$18,000 for a family of four (the poverty threshold used by the US Census) is impossible to survive on. I live on a yearly income of about that myself, and in New York, with high rents, subway fare hikes, and so on, it is hard enough to get by. For people on low incomes in the US, healthy living is next to impossible: the food you can afford is of very poor quality (and contains things like rBGH, recombinative bovine growth hormone, that are not allowed into food in the EU because at least the EU has some food safety regulations that override the imperative to maintain the profit margins of chemical companies), and without health insurance, your access to healthcare is minimal.
Of course, it is relative. Obviously there are people far worse off in absolute terms than poor people in the US.
However, in the world's wealthiest country, it is obscene that such poverty exists (millions of Americans are 'food insecure', that is, they do not know where their next meal is coming from; you can get stats from the US Department of Agriculture).
Just one of the reasons I was marching yesterday (Sunday) against the RNC: massive numbers; most estimates, about 250,000; the organisers claim 500,000. It was certainly massive- it took 6 hours for everyone to complete the route. I was marching for about 4 hours (see NYC inymedia for more on what's going on here, and some great pictures).

by Jim Tue Sep 14, 2004 17:45

I find it frustrating and laughable at the same time hearing these wasting aurguements about the capitalist and so-called democracy bashings. I, from personal experence and bearing witness, have seen what can happen when someone puts their mind to their selves. Too much complaining wondering what if. Is there any among you that realizes that bitching and moanig about They do this they said that and instead taking care of ones own selof first will get you a long way.
Making your self a better person is only going to have one outcome.... you become better.
People come from around the world to the USA because it is better here than there, Why do they know this and are willing to try and make improvements yet the ones here naturally would rather muse on their own misfortunes than exploit their own strengths, their own resources, their opportunities.
John Lennon wrote give peace a chance.
I think one has to find peace in ones own self first.
There is no secret door that only rich people are allowed in, there isnt a password or medallion that opens the gates to Valhalla.
perservere. carry on boldly, pursuit of happiness. learn. try. brush yourself off. stand up.do!
There is no such thing as entitlement there is no free rides. welfare is a tool to keep the masses placated.
When you can stand on your own 2 feet and say I am one my own. You have a voice a purpose and It will transform you.

by Tom Tue Sep 14, 2004 22:25 olearys at oceanfree dot net

My goal is to be able to live a very happy and fulfilled life without relying on MORE money. Poverty is perception for most people...certainly anyone making 18,000 a year! I want to spend more time living and less time working to accumulate more THINGS. Watching the tides ebb and flow is free, going to the library is free (at the moment anyway), taking a walk in the woods is free, spring water from the source is free, fresh veg and fruit is free (if you grow it yourself), meditation is free, SEX IS FREE (if you're good looking like me...lol)....

Unfortunately, it is hard to live comfortably in this world with NO money, but you don't need as much as most people think...most of my favourite things to do in life are free.

What you have to do, however, is to carefully plan a life that is self suficient...a life that doesn't require and excess of money. You will have to work for several years to save for a small cottage somewhere....you might even have to work at something in exchange for money for the rest of your life (unless you live in a commune or barter community, where your work is paid in kind rather than euro). But incorporate that "work" into your lifestyle...do something that you are passionate about that can practically be bartered for little coloured paper to buy things with. Don't work so you can accumulate things, work to practice your craft, whatever that might be. You'll most likely have to move to more remote areas (certainly outside of Dublin or any big city)....but once you have a place...your sanctuary...you can start planting your seeds and organising your love shack...you don't have to become a hermit or a bum...you can still bathe and brush your hair and speak eloquently in public, and have dinner parties and all of those things that are considered civilised for the modern male to do...if you want to...

DON'T RELY SO MUCH ON MONEY!!! Be creative with your life...it goes by very quickly you know. True wealth does not come in denominations....it exists already in our thoughts and our words and our hearts....and our touch....

Peace out....

by Kees161 Tue Oct 12, 2004 03:44 kylejo at sbcglobal dot net 7736 OrtonvilleRd Clarkston MI 2486201401

So because Mexicans want to live here means the US is the best country in the world? To have a founded opinion about this compare the US to other industrialized/wealthy nations. If you would do some research online you'll find out that the US unfortunately is not on top of the list in most things except crime rate, poverty, teenage pregnancy, highest percentage of population withour health insurance,least amount of paid vacation etc. Stop comparing the US with some poor third world country. Of course do people from a third world everything to get out of their own country. The USA is not Disneyland sir. Take off your Mickey Mouse ears and stop singing it's a small world. Welcome to the real world........

by toneore Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:46 toneore at eircom dot net

...whining. Can you name any of these people in poverty? What do these figures mean to YOU with your expensive laptop and college education? Nothing, except a handy tool to bash America. Jesus, if any other nation had to put up with his level of hostility and negative stereotyping you'd be screaming about racism.

by Leon - Anarchist Drivers Federation Tue Oct 12, 2004 13:19

What the hell is this thread doing in IRISH indymedia.

In India its 0ver 60%.

Yankee fuck off.

by Joe Tue Oct 12, 2004 13:37

It's at the top.

This one is in international / anti-capitalism / news report which seems fair enough.