Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Census: US poverty rate swells to nearly 1 in 6

(AP) — The Census Bureau reports the number of Americans in poverty jumped to 15.1 percent in 2010, a 27-year high.

About 46.2 million people, or nearly 1 in 6, were in poverty. That's up from 43.6 million, or 14.3 percent, in 2009. It was the highest level since 1983.

The number of people lacking health insurance increased to 49.9 million, a new high after revisions were made to 2009 figures. Losses were due mostly to working-age Americans who lost employer-provided insurance in the weak economy. Main provisions of the health overhaul don't take effect until 2014.

The statistics released Tuesday cover 2010, when U.S. unemployment averaged 9.6 percent, up from 9.3 percent the previous year.

The median — or midpoint — household income was $49,445, a 2.3 decline from 2009.

*This isn't shocking at all!

We all know that many people are not working these days due this non-job economy.  The only thing this report gives us is the numbers of the many who aren't working and who are poor.  When we think about these numbers we should be shocked, but we are not, because more and more of us are losing jobs and going without.

As many put it, it was bound to happen due to the corruption and "I'm better than you attitude." Which is what truly brought this country to it's knees. 

So when the census comes out with a report about poverty and the many that are at or below the poverty line, it's not shocking one bit because, most of us were there to begin with and are there now.*


Diva's Nation
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