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woo me with science

(32,139 posts)
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 11:25 AM Jul 2012

US poverty on track to reach 46-year high; suburbs, underemployed workers, children hit hard

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/us-poverty-on-track-to-reach-46-year-high-suburbs-underemployed-workers-children-hit-hard/2012/07/22/gJQA3Xa01W_story.html

US poverty on track to reach 46-year high; suburbs, underemployed workers, children hit hard

WASHINGTON — The ranks of America’s poor are on track to climb to levels unseen in nearly half a century, erasing gains from the war on poverty in the 1960s amid a weak economy and fraying government safety net.
....
The Associated Press surveyed more than a dozen economists, think tanks and academics, both nonpartisan and those with known liberal or conservative leanings, and found a broad consensus: The official poverty rate will rise from 15.1 percent in 2010, climbing as high as 15.7 percent. Several predicted a more modest gain, but even a 0.1 percentage point increase would put poverty at the highest since 1965.

Poverty is spreading at record levels across many groups, from underemployed workers and suburban families to the poorest poor. More discouraged workers are giving up on the job market, leaving them vulnerable as unemployment aid begins to run out. Suburbs are seeing increases in poverty, including in such political battlegrounds as Colorado, Florida and Nevada, where voters are coping with a new norm of living hand to mouth.
....
Demographers also say:

—Poverty will remain above the pre-recession level of 12.5 percent for many more years. Several predicted that peak poverty levels — 15 percent to 16 percent — will last at least until 2014, due to expiring unemployment benefits, a jobless rate persistently above 6 percent and weak wage growth.

—Suburban poverty, already at a record level of 11.8 percent, will increase again in 2011.

—Part-time or underemployed workers, who saw a record 15 percent poverty in 2010, will rise to a new high.

—Poverty among people 65 and older will remain at historically low levels, buoyed by Social Security cash payments.

—Child poverty will increase from its 22 percent level in 2010.



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US poverty on track to reach 46-year high; suburbs, underemployed workers, children hit hard (Original Post) woo me with science Jul 2012 OP
American Exceptionalism. US goal, number one at the bottom! n/t RKP5637 Jul 2012 #1
Du rec. Nt xchrom Jul 2012 #2
This ProSense Jul 2012 #3
Of course Republicans would be worse; that's how the theft succeeds. woo me with science Jul 2012 #6
Can you ProSense Jul 2012 #7
Sure. We had a "real proposal" last April. woo me with science Jul 2012 #8
Yeah, ProSense Jul 2012 #9
This is the level of denial we are dealing with from the Third Way, folks, woo me with science Jul 2012 #10
So ProSense Jul 2012 #12
Obama's "Grand Bargain" Teamster Jeff Jul 2012 #11
Yes, our president is a bit of a wimp magic59 Jul 2012 #15
Not a wimp at all. woo me with science Jul 2012 #19
Reid and Pelosi should have refused to go along with something that made them 'gulp'. sabrina 1 Jul 2012 #23
wtf? poor people "live in decent-size homes, drive cars and own wide-screen TVs." ergo they're HiPointDem Jul 2012 #18
Who set up that safety net, and who is protecting it with every fiber of their Democratic sabrina 1 Jul 2012 #24
As long as greed rules, capitalism runs amuck, political offices are RKP5637 Jul 2012 #4
46 years - 1966 Doctor_J Jul 2012 #5
But it's all hunky dory because corporate profits are at an all time high. Lizzie Poppet Jul 2012 #13
RWers: woot woot!!! Mission Accomplished (TM)!!! USA! USA! USA! kestrel91316 Jul 2012 #14
Kick woo me with science Jul 2012 #16
kr. there has been no recovery for the working class, just for the 1%-ers. HiPointDem Jul 2012 #17
+10000 woo me with science Jul 2012 #21
"Child poverty will increase from its 22 percent level..." woo me with science Jul 2012 #20
So horrible. Doesn't portend well with our weather either. raouldukelives Jul 2012 #22
K&R hay rick Jul 2012 #25
This is 100%...NOT 50%, NOT 90%...not even 99%...but 100% caused by GOP policies BanTheGOP Jul 2012 #26
This one line sums up all of our current economic problems. Peter1x9 Jul 2012 #27
The Bush legacy has peaked. GOP policies at work. Instead of passing Jobs Bills we get abortion bill FarLeftFist Jul 2012 #28

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
3. This
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 11:33 AM
Jul 2012
Robert Rector, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, believes the social safety net has worked and it’s now time to cut back. He worries that advocates may use a rising poverty rate to justify additional spending on the poor, when in fact, he says, many live in decent-size homes, drive cars and own wide-screen TVs.

<...>

Outside of Medicaid, federal spending on major low-income assistance programs such as food stamps, disability aid and tax credits have been mostly flat at roughly 1.5 percent of the gross domestic product from 1975 to the 1990s. Spending spiked higher to 2.3 percent of GDP after Obama’s stimulus program in 2009 temporarily expanded unemployment insurance and tax credits for the poor.


...shows the contrast between Republicans and Democrats.

What's the House Republican solution:

House Committee Votes To Take Food Stamps Away From Millions Of Low-Income Americans
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/07/12/515504/house-committee-food-stamp-vote/


http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/07/16/522311/joe-walsh-welfare/

woo me with science

(32,139 posts)
6. Of course Republicans would be worse; that's how the theft succeeds.
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 12:02 PM
Jul 2012

It is so easy to move rightward when there is always someone further right.

Here is one of the simplest, clearest descriptions of the scam that I have come across. It also contains a good summary of Obama's contributions to this issue, including his initial attempts to form a bipartisan "entitlement commission," his formation of the Cat Food Commission, and the upcoming Deficit Commission. I strongly recommend every Democrat read it in its entirety:

1% Want To Steal Your Social Security, Pres. Obama Is Helping Them
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/14/1090904/-1-Want-To-Steal-Your-Social-Security-Pres-Obama-Is-Helping-Them



The denial needs to stop.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=146626




ProSense

(116,464 posts)
7. Can you
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 12:15 PM
Jul 2012

"That's how cuts sought by corporate Democrats are sold as even remotely acceptable. "

...provide details about the cuts, a link to a source detailing a real proposal?



Wow, a long piece that claims Obama's creation of the Fiscal Commission is helping them.

I mean, that's the basis of the entire hyperbolic title.

Got anything else beside idiotic hyperbole? You know, like a real proposal and actions taken by the President to help the Republicans "steal your Social Security"?



woo me with science

(32,139 posts)
8. Sure. We had a "real proposal" last April.
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 12:17 PM
Jul 2012

President Obama *started out* the debt ceiling negotiations by putting 650 BILLION in cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on the table.

woo me with science

(32,139 posts)
10. This is the level of denial we are dealing with from the Third Way, folks,
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 12:23 PM
Jul 2012

and the level of compassion for people who are hurting.


In his own words:

"Essentially what we had offered Speaker Boehner was over a trillion dollars in cuts to discretionary spending, both domestic and defense. We then offered an additional $650 billion in cuts to entitlement programs -- Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security."


President Obama
July 22, 2011
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/07/22/remarks-president


You go ahead and quibble, obfuscate, shift the subject...whatever you like. I am stopping here, because I don't want this important article and this important bit of recent history to be purposely buried in a bunch of distraction.






_________________________________________
[font size=1][/font color=red]Third Way messaging is inherently hopeless, because it burdens its messengers with an impossible task: trying to convince people that what they have seen, heard, and experienced with their own eyes and ears isn't happening.
[/font size][/font color]





ProSense

(116,464 posts)
12. So
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 12:33 PM
Jul 2012

"This is the level of denial we are dealing with from the Third Way, folks, and the level of compassion for people who are hurting."

all you have is the "Third Way" strawman, and a quote? Where are the cuts?

So you can stop spreading RW talking points about the President cutting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security:

Obama’s Budget Health Care Savings In One Chart

By Igor Volsky

This morning, President Obama unveiled a $3.8 trillion budget plan that eschews any dramatic reforms to entitlement programs but would still produce $360 billion in savings from Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care programs over 10 years. Obama avoids Rep. Paul Ryan’s approach “to turn Medicare into a voucher or Medicaid into a block grant,” but does adopt several Republican-backed ideas that would increase means testing for higher-income seniors and discourage overuse of care by penalizing beneficiaries.

Under Obama’s approach, for instance, higher-income seniors would pay more for doctors visits and prescription coverage beginning in 2017 and all new enrollees will pay a $25 deductible as part of their Part B premiums. But for the most part, the budget is similar to the administration’s September 2011 deficit reduction plan and recoups the greatest savings from drug rebates and modernizing provider payments to achieve greater efficiency. Here is a chart showing where all the savings come from:



- more -

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/02/13/424136/obama-budget-health-care-savings-in-one-chart/


The President also signed into law the biggest expansion of Medicaid: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002868894

Are you going to deny that too and yell "Third Way"?

Teamster Jeff

(1,598 posts)
11. Obama's "Grand Bargain"
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 12:31 PM
Jul 2012

$1.2 trillion in agency cuts, smaller cost-of-living increases for Social Security recipients, nearly $250 billion in Medicare savings achieved in part by raising the eligibility age. And $800 billion in new taxes.

That night, Obama prepared his party’s congressional leaders. He warned Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that he might return to the position under discussion the previous Sunday — that is, cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in exchange for just $800 billion in tax increases. Would they support him?

The Democratic leaders “kind of gulped” when they heard the details, [WH chief of staff William] Daley recalled. ... Reluctantly, Reid and Pelosi agreed to do their best to support the plan.


http://www.americablog.com/2012/03/obama-wanted-cuts-to-social-security.html


One of the reasons I won't drink the Kool-aid.
 

magic59

(429 posts)
15. Yes, our president is a bit of a wimp
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 01:30 PM
Jul 2012

He and the dems are still trying to fight fair. The evil T-bagging corporatist republicons fight dirty, have no morals and would rather see this country destroyed then give an inch.

 

HiPointDem

(20,729 posts)
18. wtf? poor people "live in decent-size homes, drive cars and own wide-screen TVs." ergo they're
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 03:04 PM
Jul 2012

not poor?

the "decent-sized house" is typically either in a decaying crime-ridden neighborhood & falling apart or paid for with rent vouchers; the car a junker; and a wide-screen monitor you can get for under $300.

oooh, those lucky duckies. untold luxury.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
24. Who set up that safety net, and who is protecting it with every fiber of their Democratic
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 08:52 PM
Jul 2012

beings, as they should? Surely no Democrat would tell the lie that SS needs to be 'fixed' or imply in any way the lie that it had anything to do with the deficit ... note the word 'imply'.

Politicians will do what whoever is pressuring them the most want them to do. We need to be that pressure, and intend to be, especially when it is our own Party we are trying to save from right wing influences.

RKP5637

(67,030 posts)
4. As long as greed rules, capitalism runs amuck, political offices are
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 11:38 AM
Jul 2012

bought and bribed with money, we have a dysfunctional supreme court, jobs are shipped out of the country in record numbers, USA, Inc. and hatred runs over civility, MSM is a tool, hatred is highly profitable, etc. and etc., the US will continue to fall. As this continues, this might well look like the best of times.

 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
5. 46 years - 1966
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 12:01 PM
Jul 2012

Right about when the war on poverty began. The teabaggers and Big media have rolled us back to the LBJ era. Gilded age, here we come.

 

Lizzie Poppet

(10,164 posts)
13. But it's all hunky dory because corporate profits are at an all time high.
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 12:36 PM
Jul 2012

If it weren't for "boiled frog syndrome," there'd have been blood in the streets years ago...

raouldukelives

(5,178 posts)
22. So horrible. Doesn't portend well with our weather either.
Sun Jul 22, 2012, 08:43 PM
Jul 2012

I sure hope the current climate conditions are the new normal. If they continue to warm and break new records we could be looking at some pretty horrific scenes of food shortages and starvation in our own backyard.
Which is about the same time enough people will start to take it seriously.

 

BanTheGOP

(1,068 posts)
26. This is 100%...NOT 50%, NOT 90%...not even 99%...but 100% caused by GOP policies
Mon Jul 23, 2012, 03:01 PM
Jul 2012

GOP policies which migrate money from the productive, progressive class to the elitist, rich republican class is directly responsible for the poverty in America today. We MUST socialize all industries and societal endeavors, including a severe decapitation on capitalism and an unprecedented transfer of wealth from the superrich to the vast majority of citizens suffering in the wake of an organized GOP onslaught on humanity.

To start to rectify the situation, we must first ban the GOP.

Peter1x9

(311 posts)
27. This one line sums up all of our current economic problems.
Mon Jul 23, 2012, 03:03 PM
Jul 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/us-poverty-on-track-to-reach-46-year-high-suburbs-underemployed-workers-children-hit-hard/2012/07/22/gJQA3Xa01W_story.html

He pointed to the recent recession but also longer-term changes in the economy such as globalization, automation, outsourcing, immigration, and less unionization that have pushed median household income lower.




This is a structural change in the economy. Until decent jobs come back, the "economists" will continue to be "shocked" and "surprised" by the continually poor economic surveys and statistics.

FarLeftFist

(6,161 posts)
28. The Bush legacy has peaked. GOP policies at work. Instead of passing Jobs Bills we get abortion bill
Mon Jul 23, 2012, 03:27 PM
Jul 2012

And the GOP is continuing this BS with obstruction.

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