U.S. poverty rises despite economic recovery

[xchrom]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/17/us-usa-economy-poverty-idUSBRE98G0PN20130917

(Reuters) - The number of U.S. residents living in poverty edged up to 46.5 million last year, the latest sign that an economic recovery marked by a stock market boom has not trickled down to ordinary Americans.

The figures from the Census Bureau on Tuesday highlighted the lingering scars from the 2007-2009 recession and added fresh fuel to debates over government austerity and widening income inequality. It could also renew calls to raise the minimum wage.

Although the number of people in poverty went up from 46.2 million in 2011, the national poverty rate was unchanged at 15 percent, the annual report said. The poverty threshold in 2012 was an income of $23,492 for a family of four.

"Today's data underscore that it is time for Congress to pivot from a focus on austerity to an agenda emphasizing jobs and shared economic growth," said Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress, a liberal policy group in Washington.

[deutsey]

1. What happened in Colorado alone warrants a public works program there, imo

But when you look at our crumbling infrastructure across the nation plus the poverty and unemployment rates, it's crazy to me that we aren't putting people to work through such programs to the benefit of the nation.

[fredamae]

2. Despite Economic Recovery??

Then, the Headline is an Oxymoronic assessment.

If poverty is growing there is No Recovery. It simply points out the fact that the "one percent" is reaping All of the benefits of Profit--but there is in Fact-No Recovery for the 99%.
Just another, imo, attempt to make "us" scratch Our heads, blame ourselves for not having recovered while the little fat ba$tids waddle their way to the bank - clearing the trail by kicking more poor/middle class to the curb.

[deutsey]

3. +1

[LiberalLoner]

4. +1 awesome post

[Supersedeas]

5. Spot on...well said fred

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

6. Well put.

[Nay]

7. Thank you. This is so asinine as to inspire scorn. There is no recovery for the majority of

Americans! Just because trillions of our dollars have flowed upwards to fat cats does not make the recovery a reality.

[xchrom]

8. Kick