"In 2003, 35.9 million people were in poverty, up 1.3 million from 2002."

You must be joking. What did the poverty rate jump to, 25k per year? LOL. When I hear stuff like this I honestly wonder if I'm in America or the land of Oz. Most Americans that the government defines as "living in poverty" have no idea what poverty is.

Fortunately, I am able to help a few of those who are legitimately struggling through my church. When I respond to requests I am so thankful I live in a country where the worst the requests typically get is "I need a little food to get me through to the next check"...or, "my kids need some school supplies"...and I live in a city of over 300,000. There is so much opportunity and so many safety nets, both government and non-government, it's really amazing!

anyone here been to appalatia? (sp, i know)

Its so funny you should mention that Polamex...cause I almost did mention that as a notable exeption. I occasionally send money to a charity that works specifically in that area of the country. In fact, there are many remote areas in the US where there is some genuine poverty, but they are just that, remote areas, and don't affect the numbers in the way the census bureau would like people to believe.

The only poor people in this country are white! The government lies!

So did people's lot not get worse for the past 3 years? Fuck it. Just tell them they're not poor and to deal.

I make around 18,000g a year and I can tell you now I ain't poor! I can afford a rent. I can afford my bills and if I want a new job I can find one. I really think this is a reflection of how spoiled we are in this country. Poverty is living in sewage and dying at 30, While there may be some in poverty in this country we don't have famines like they have in Africa and Asia. We have it very good, thus 30g or less is poor here. That means I can only afford three tv's and a cable modem, and a computer, and a car, and a home, and lots of food to make me fat, a nd clothes. Wow. I am sooo poor.

The real question is: how do you define poverty? Less than three televisions? No computer? Damn I can't afford a Lexus, there must be something wrong.

There are set federal guidelines for poverty, by which poverty rates are estimated. They can be found here: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/03poverty.htm

Here are the income levels considered impoverished in the 48 contiguous states for 2003:
Family of 1 - $8,980. Family of 2 - $12,120. Family of 3 - $15,260. Family of 4 - $18,400.

So unless you are supporting 3 other people in addition to yourself and making $18,000/year, you're right that you have lots of money.

Thanks for putting that in perspective Emily.

Eine scharfe Maedchen!

Eine scharfe Maedchen!

Here's the metastory about the poverty data.

Every year, the Census Bureau releases the poverty data in late-September. In election years, that means the public learns about the number of families in poverty about five weeks before going to the polls. This year -- surprise, surprise -- the announcement has been moved up to August, when Congress is out of session, a lot of journalists are on vacation, and the Olympics are on TV. The Wall Street Journal reported: A bureau representative says the date change has nothing to do with politics.