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Extreme Poverty Is Now At Record Levels
The extreme the wealth disparity in the U.S. keeps on widening. We already know that people at the higher percentage levels are doing well, particularly at the highest, while the middle class is shrinking rapidly. Here, Michael Snyder presents some handy statistics on the growth at the lowest levels of poverty. ~ Ilene
Extreme Poverty Is Now At Record Levels – 19 Statistics About The Poor That Will Absolutely Astound You
Courtesy of Michael Snyder of Economic Collapse
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a higher percentage of Americans is living in extreme poverty than they have ever measured before. In 2010, we were told that the economy was recovering, but the truth is that the number of the "very poor" soared to heights never seen previously. Back in 1993 and back in 2009, the rate of extreme poverty was just over 6 percent, and that represented the worst numbers on record. But in 2010, the rate of extreme poverty hit a whopping 6.7 percent. That means that one out of every 15 Americans is now considered to be "very poor".
For many people, this is all very confusing because their guts are telling them that things are getting worse and yet the mainstream media keeps telling them that everything is just fine. Hopefully this article will help people realize that the plight of the poorest of the poor continues to deteriorate all across the United States. In addition, hopefully this article will inspire many of you to lend a hand to those that are truly in need.
Tonight, there are more than 20 million Americans that are living in extreme poverty. This number increases a little bit more every single day. The following statistics that were mentioned in an article in The Daily Mail should be very sobering for all of us....
About 20.5 million Americans, or 6.7 percent of the U.S. population, make up the poorest poor, defined as those at 50 per cent or less of the official poverty level.
Those living in deep poverty represent nearly half of the 46.2 million people scraping by below the poverty line. In 2010, the poorest poor meant an income of $5,570 or less for an individual and $11,157 for a family of four.
That 6.7 percent share is the highest in the 35 years that the Census Bureau has maintained such records, surpassing previous highs in 2009 and 1993 of just over 6 percent.
Sadly, the wealthy and the poor are being increasingly segregated all over the nation. In some areas of the U.S. you would never even know that the economy was having trouble, and other areas resemble third world hellholes. In most U.S. cities today, there are the "good neighborhoods" and there are the "bad neighborhoods".
According to a recent Bloomberg article, the "very poor" are increasingly being pushed into these "bad neighborhoods"....
At least 2.2 million more Americans, a 33 percent jump since 2000, live in neighborhoods where the poverty rate is 40 percent or higher, according to a study released today by the Washington-based Brookings Institution.
Of course they don't have much of a choice. They can't afford to live where most of the rest of us do.
Today, there are many Americans that openly look down on the poor, but that should never be the case. We should love the poor and want to see them lifted up to a better place. The truth is that with a few bad breaks any of us could end up in the ranks of the poor. Compassion is a virtue that all of us should seek to develop.
Not only that, but the less poor people and the less unemployed people we have, the better it is for our economy. When as many people as possible in a nation are working and doing something economically productive, that maximizes the level of true wealth that a nation is creating.
But today we are losing out on a massive amount of wealth. We have tens of millions of people that are sitting at home on their couches. Instead of creating something of economic value, the rest of us have to support them financially. That is not what any of us should want.
It is absolutely imperative that we get as many Americans back to work as possible. The more people that are doing something economically productive, the more wealth there will be for all of us.
That is why it is so alarming that the ranks of the "very poor" are increasing so dramatically. When the number of poor people goes up, the entire society suffers.
So just how bad are things right now?
The following are 19 statistics about the poor that will absolutely astound you....
#1 According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of "very poor" rose in 300 out of the 360 largest metropolitan areas during 2010.
#2 Last year, 2.6 million more Americans descended into poverty. That was the largest increase that we have seen since the U.S. government began keeping statistics on this back in 1959.
#3 It isn't just the ranks of the "very poor" that are rising. The number of those just considered to be "poor" is rapidly increasing as well. Back in the year 2000, 11.3% of all Americans were living in poverty. Today, 15.1% of all Americans are living in poverty.
#4 The poverty rate for children living in the United States increased to 22% in 2010.
#5 There are 314 counties in the United States where at least 30% of the children are facing food insecurity.
#6 In Washington D.C., the "child food insecurity rate" is 32.3%.
#7 More than 20 million U.S. children rely on school meal programs to keep from going hungry.
#8 One out of every six elderly Americans now lives below the federal poverty line.
#9 Today, there are over 45 million Americans on food stamps.
#10 According to the Wall Street Journal, nearly 15 percent of all Americans are now on food stamps.
#11 In 2010, 42 percent of all single mothers in the United States were on food stamps.
#12 The number of Americans on food stamps has increased 74% since 2007.
#13 We are told that the economy is recovering, but the number of Americans on food stamps has grown by another 8 percent over the past year.
#14 Right now, one out of every four American children is on food stamps.
#15 It is being projected that approximately 50 percent of all U.S. children will be on food stamps at some point in their lives before they reach the age of 18.
#16 More than 50 million Americans are now on Medicaid. Back in 1965, only one out of every 50 Americans was on Medicaid. Today, approximately one out of every 6 Americans is on Medicaid.
#17 One out of every six Americans is now enrolled in at least one government anti-poverty program.
#18 The number of Americans that are going to food pantries and soup kitchens has increased by 46% since 2006.
#19 It is estimated that up to half a million children may currently be homeless in the United States.
Sadly, we don't hear much about this on the nightly news, do we?
This is because the mainstream media is very tightly controlled.
I came across a beautiful illustration of this recently. If you do not believe that the news in America is scripted, just watch this video starting at the 1:15 mark. Conan O'Brien does a beautiful job of demonstrating how news anchors all over the United States are often repeating the exact same words.
So don't rely on the mainstream media to tell you everything.
In this day and age, it is absolutely imperative that we all think for ourselves, and that we have compassion on our brothers and sisters. Winter is coming up, and if you see someone that does not have a coat, don't be afraid to offer to give them one.
All over the United States (and all around the world), there are orphans that are desperately hurting. As you celebrate the good things that you have during this time of the year, don't forget to remember them.
We should not expect that "the government" will take care of everyone that is hurting.
The reality is that millions of people fall through the "safety net".
Yes, times are going to get harder and an economic collapse is coming.
That just means that we should be more generous and more compassionate than we have ever been before.
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Cbxer is a scientiologist
It's cool to despise the plebs the emperor zog says so
Your wrong, I am not on the same side as Tom Cruise. I am an independent thinker, no one makes decisions for me, no one decides my fate but me. I do not worry what the future holds, I live day-to-day. I hate to see run-down folks, but now days one cannot tell if they are truly run-down, or imposters preying on your caring attitude.
Don't put me in with some crusade I do not even know the meaning of.
I believe you,
I was just trying to draw out the scientologists.
Don't think it worked.
Judging by the reds n greens it looks 50:50 are for zog
shit happens...
Like shit concocted so that no shit touches the happy few; it needs 99 victims to expiate one elected, the law of 'skewed' gaussian reality. The suddenly, the song changes when you find yourself on the wrong side of the street. Those who sang 'shit happens' suddenly realise they are in eye of cyclone and then sing incredulously...shit happens to US! It wasn't supposed to be like that!. What happened to this movie? It sucks to high hell!...Move on, says the guy on the right side of the street, you are now toast.
Yes, shit happens.
There should be a debate about the extent of the welfare state. I guess the answer is "none" for many ZHers, but be very careful what you wish for. You might end up with a turd in that pretty box on Xmas morning.
I know people on 'disability' who lead basically normal lives, including working (when doing so is supposed to be impossible for them). When a nameless, faceless bureaucracy is dispensing 'charity', you can be sure a lot of it is graft. Real charity enobles the giver and the receiver, and a real human connection can be made. How many true charity cases do we have in this country? Not nearly as many as are suckling at the teat. Government policy should be aimed at reducing the cost of living, so that people now in the system have more of a chance when the gravy train mashes into mount potato.
buyingsterling - I agree w/your post except one thing.
Social Security Disability law allows recipients to earn up to $1,000 per month without jepordising that "benefit"
They do want you back working.
It's just that once approved nobody goes off. It's not good for a person to not work.
That in itself creates problems ie depression, dependency, drug abuse, drinking, etc.
Shit happens
Sudden Debt, don't you ever speak the truth again, ever... Especially with so many communists, socialists, and marxists assembled on a single thread. Look at all that red... Let's see if I can get even more...
Shit happens to those not prepared to deal with the reality of life; that one must have skills to survive and to maintain and decent standard of living. That you must be responsible for yourself and not rely on others to feed, clothe, or house you. And if you can't take that responsibility, well then yes, shit happens...
Yes, throw the disabled and slow in the dumpster...
Fine words for gorillas in the jungle.
I think you are naive and ill prepared for what lies ahead.
I hope I'm wrong but let's check back in 5 years and we'll see
You don't have to be a commie to have compassion, each case of poverty has it's own story, some deserving and many not.
I agree with you Duke, I see a large number of posters here that think hoarding and ammo, and screw the other guy attitude is how they will survive what is coming, but need I point out that this is exactly the position of the current crop of TPTB? They are just doing it on a bigger scale. What will come sooner or later will be a species wide event in which those that learn how to cooperate will be the ones who survive, those that cannot cooperate are the ones that will fail.
so, IronShield, there you were, exercising you skills to survive and maintain your living standards, acting responsibly, and another nationstate decides to invade your country, starting with the city you happen to live in - BAM!!! infrastructure down, chaos in the streets, people harmed / dying, maybe you're one of them, all of a sudden you are relatively "helpless" to "deal with the reality of life" - shit happened.
I know a guy, early 30's, creative, working, saving - had a massive heartattack, died, was revived, and now lives in a "care home" because his defibrilator needs constant monitoring, and his "memory" lasts about 10 seconds - shit happened, no one could have known when or if.
try a little gratitude for what you have, while you have it.
rightly pointed out and well written. you forgot to mention the feedback loop at the end of it. know who is at the top of the chain behind it?
http://expose2.wordpress.com
The Belgian pervert says shit happens
Is he the sort of person that would go to this sort of party?
http://gawker.com/5854540/top-foreclosure-firm-threw-homeless+themed-hal...
Nah, shit has been made to happen by a relatively small group of greedy sociopathic narcissists. Shit's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better too.
it's odd that your avatar is of the buddha being that the buddhist philosophy puts the responsibility solely on the individuals shoulders. greedy rich man did not create the circumstances of my life, but I also cannot control who my parents are where I was born when I was born etc. however, I do have the power at this and any instant to reflect on my life and choose a prudent path forward.
You need to touch up on your Buddhism. The blind ignorance of the greedy has played a massive part in the circumstances of your life and the life of billions, every action has a cause and effect and creates a certain set of conditions. We are now experiencing the ripening of these conditions by the actions of said people.
If you are enlightened as you say you are, then it is your duty to become Bodhisattva and liberate your brothers and sisters by guiding them out of a state of ignorance. While you may choose a prudent path for yourself, this is not enough as you must show others this path. Up for it?
speaking about the effects of shit happening. the internal wealth gap seems to be more important then the total GDP output.
http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_wilkinson.html
Nice post - thanks for the video.
I agree with you on that. But keep in mind the greedy sociopathic narcissists are at both ends. Making money creating the scheme from the top. And other sociopathic narcissists make a lot of money off of running the system at the bottom levels, and those who see the wealth theft occurring and figure they might as well get in line to "get theirs".
I would say, in fact, that this shit has been made to happen by a VERY large number of greedy sociopathic narcissists. At all levels of society. The ones at the top prey on those at the bottom, they promise them the something-for-nothing that they so badly crave. In the end, when the pie starts shrinking, then they do away with those at the bottom, and steal outright from them too. A large number of people in this country are responsible for this, myself included. For not working hard enough to change it before it was too late. Of course I hated it and I ranted against it. But maybe I did not work hard enough to change it, because I too was too busy with my daily life and making myself comfortable from day to day, to be concerned with the future. We all "kick the can" in our own individual way, and the outcome of that is an entire society that does not make themselves as accountable as they should for their own futures.
What level of sociopathic narcissism would JP Morgan fall under?
The reason I ask is because, as well as operating at the "top end," they also cash in from the food stamp program (and then outsourced the related call center to India).
Its a racket, thats for sure. How desperately they NEED to maintain poverty in this country, in order to profit from the transaction fee when they issue the handouts. And politicians get to maintain an "issue" to build an election campaign on.
JP Morgan is one of the worst kind. But they do it in partnership with politicians, and they do it in the name of "helping the people". Websites with campaign platforms and corporate "giving" efforts, all to make the sheeple think they care. Meanwhile, the money signs shine behind their eyelids when they go to sleep at night.
"Its a racket, thats for sure."
No shit.
So, there I was yesterday...standing in line behind a perfectly healthy 20 something white male and his cart full of crap. The cashier says what the total is (missed the total) and out comes his EBT card.
She then says you owe 65 bucks.
He reaches in his cart and pulls out 3ft long dog chew bone with a fucking bow on it (ain't lyin) and hands it to her...she deducts its price.
She says you owe 58 bucks.
He reaches in his cart (over a 30lb bag of dog food) and plops a jug of detergent on the counter.
She says you owe 52 bucks.
He rifles through his cash (all five dollar bills for some reason) and hands it over...gets his change and walks out.
I say to the cashier smiling "I thought you were going to club him with that dog bone". She says you and I just paid for his food.
I say...I know.
Dang, the "War on Poverty" was declared by LBJ while he was naked in the WH and Trillionz have been spent. Nixon eventually declared victory in the "War in Veetnam" and we moved on, much to many broken promises at all levels to many Americans and others who had placed their lives in trust.
The entire poverty industry matches up exactly. I've seen Bawney "maintain this issue" forever. {fortunately, for me, I've only seen Bawney a coupla' dozen times, first time was when he was driving his Plymouth Horizon pos on his very own road: MA 140 (Gerrymandering works)}
Gotta find other associated websites.
- Ned