What percentage of Americans are poor?

[Jon Miller]

and what is the best way to determine what poor is?

should certain groups not be considered?

those who are wiser than I, please discuss

Jon Miller

[Dis]

I'm not good at remembering numbers, but here it goes. These facts were taken from Money magazine.

in 1960 about 20% of the population was below poverty level.

In the year 2003 less than 10% of the population is below poverty level.

The libs will have you believe people are getting poorer, and the big corporations are raping the american worker. It doesn't take much common sense (although admittedly commies lack this) to look around and see how much crap- as in material goods americans have now. It is obvious they are richer than they were 40 years ago. There was a day when almost no one had more than 1 television set and one motorized vehicle. Now...

Although I will admit the main reason for that is women are now working. Thus, people are much well off than they were 40 years ago. Contrary to popular believe though, most families can survive with 1 person working. This crap that women have to work is crap. Both parents almost never have to work. It's just you have to make sacrifices. But most people are unwilling to part with their 3 tv's, 3 vcr's, 3 cars, 3000 + sq. feet homes, etc.

[DanS]

According to the Census Bureau, the poverty rate is 12%.

Using alternative methods, the poverty rate can be calculated as low as 7.5%.

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/table2r.pdf

[Nubclear]

Remember: Even poor Americans are very rich compared to others in the world

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Comrade Tassadar
Remember: Even poor Americans are very rich compared to others in the world

I hear ya -- me thinks they use this diversionary claim too often.

[Dis]

although I do wonder if the poverty rate includes illegal immigrants.

If you take a look around my city, not too many people are poor except for illegal immigrants. Although often they fare fairly well for themselves.

In my city you can find like 8 or 10 mexicans living in a $250,000 house. So individually they aren't rich, but colletively they aren't living in the slums.

[Jon Shafer]

Originally posted by Dissident
If you take a look around my city, not too many people are poor except for illegal immigrants. Although often they fare fairly well for themselves.

I doubt it... if that were so then they by themselves they make up a quarter of those below the poverty level.

[Dis]

I don't know.

But it wouldn't surprise me if my city had 20 or 25% of the actual population below poverty level.

[Al B. Sure!]

5% is my guess cause i sure as hell know almost no one in the ghetto is poor...

[Dis]

just because they drive around with Lexus cars doesn't mean they have money.

Trust me, they are poor.

[Al B. Sure!]

and wear 200 dollar S. Carters...

you know, everyday i walk around wearing 100-200 dollars worth of clothing... sean john jeans costing 50-75 dollars... roc-a-wear shirt 50-75 dollars

we a bunch of decadent bastards in the ghetto. we just waste money.

[Saint Marcus]

What percentage of Americans are poor?

No one really. Capitalism works perfectly, and the only people who are "poor" are just too lazy to get a job.

[Al B. Sure!]

as a 'poor' person, i agree, saint marcus

[bipolarbear]

Define rich, and middle class first.

[Al B. Sure!]

rich would be professionals who make over 100K a year... lawyers, doctors, etc... people in the suburbs...

middle class would be blue collar and lesser white collar (clerks, cashiers, service, secretaries, some lower accountants)... living in small towns, trailer parks, and cities