Friday August 28, 2009, 4:05 am
Hunger and Poverty Facts:

In (pre-crisis) 2007, 37.5 million people were impoverished; they comprised:

12.5% of the population and 9.8% of families;

20.3 million or 10.9% of people aged 18 - 64;

13.3 million or 18% of children under age 18; and

3.7 million or 9.7% of seniors aged 65 or older who benefit from Social Security and Medicare.

In addition:

36.2 million Americans are food insecure, including 12.4 million children;

they comprise 13 million or 11.1% of households;

4.7 million households experience "very low food security" meaning hunger is a persistent problem;

households with children have double the food insecurity as ones with none;

single women-headed households are worst off with 30.2% of them insecure; and

53.9% of food-insecure households rely on one or more of the following federal programs - food stamps, the National School Lunch Program, and the Special Supplement Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); in addition, Feeding America (in 2007) provided emergency food aid to about 25 million low-income people, 8% more than in 2001.

On August 6, the US Department of Agriculture reported a record 34.4 million Americans (one in nine) receiving food stamps in May as unemployment keeps surging. It was the sixth consecutive monthly record, and every state showed an increase as economic conditions worsen.

On September 10, the Commerce Department will release 2008 census data expected to show around another 1.5 million people added to the poverty rolls over 2007 figures - a total of nearly 39 million representing 12.7% of Americans. According to Rebecca Blank, Economic Affairs Undersecretary, final numbers aren't yet in and may be worse than expected because of how bad things are for growing numbers in the country. She believes if (U-3) unemployment hits 10% (up from 9.4% now), poverty could reach 14.8% this year and rising because of jobs and homes lost, savings exhausted, and the sharpest ever decline in personal wealth between mid-2007 and December 2008.

Worst of all, conditions for most people are deteriorating as businesses, states, and local governments shed workers and cut budgets at the worst possible time. It promises harder times ahead and potentially millions more impoverished.

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Would you help if you could, or do you not care about your fellow man at all???

Friday August 28, 2009, 5:22 am
Thanks David,
this is un-freaking-believable!
And I add: US military budget 2008: $710 billion...
So...??????

Friday August 28, 2009, 1:15 pm
Yea, the quality of mercy is the measure of a culture. Today Corporate America is in control and 50% of Americans are living hand to mouth or on the streets. Materialism and let the market run the street, as Reganomics designed into our government with deregulation and corporate imperialism internationally, does not work!

We need a government that represents the people not the rich and powerful or corporations.

Friday August 28, 2009, 1:54 pm
David ~

If my home was big enough, I would house & feed anyone who was in need, for sure! People need to eat to survive! Especially our children, no matter what.

Now, my big question is, We as a nation help out so many other countries in need, why aren't we helping our own country? My opinion only folks ~

I agree wholeheartdly with Casey, we do need a government that is "for the people, by the people", it's a must!

Thank you so much for another important & informative article David, noted as well.

Peace all,
~Shell~

Friday August 28, 2009, 2:06 pm
Yes, it is tragic and shocking. Unfortunately, North America is composed of a f... middle class system. A joke, where a person thinks they are better than the next guy if they have more money, own more things, better things, drive a better vehicle, etc. A bunch of degraded affluent types living a big LIE. Especially when the system is so perverted and corrupt that it rewards getting money any way possible regardless of unethical ways.
The poor or on the fringe of middle class get poorer and suffer terribly while the rich bastards live their delusionary lives.
A man's character is worth more than any joker with a ton of middle class money.

Friday August 28, 2009, 2:27 pm
Good article and statistics on a horrible condition in America. This has been going on for decades. Now that we are in Depression II with greater numbers without jobs and homes, this situation will soon be out of control and the homeless may be on our doorsteps. We cannot wait for government to do something. It starts with us. Instead of throwing money at homeless people, I give them a business card asking them to call me. Those who do are given contacts to help them get help. Many are so far gone because the mentally ill are thrown out of hospitals onto the streets, that they are beyond talking to. The government needs to step in for these people.

Kenneth says it well...

"A man's character is worth more than any joker with a ton of middle class money."

And Casey's comment...

"the quality of mercy is the measure of a culture."

Thanks, David.

Friday August 28, 2009, 4:16 pm
Democratic Socialism becomes more principled as we witness more of this unfortunate deprivation each passing day.

Friday August 28, 2009, 5:21 pm
You essentially have to BUY your right to exist if you want to live in this current society. If you have no or little of this entity/thing called money, you will DIE. You are insignificant. You are nothing, nobody. Money has been SET UP this way to be this bloody important and vital. It is WRONG. It is a very aberrated game. And the mojority of people in middle class North America play it and are sucked up in it and are caught/trapped in it.
While the idea of producing something and getting fair exchange for it is a simple and fine idea, it has been severely perverted for the use of those who wish to control and dominate and have power over others.
It has been ongoing for centuries. The number of people who have suffered, the pain, sorrow, hardship it has caused,and immense tragedies and tragic stories that have resulted because a person simply did not have enough of this damn thing called money is many, many millions.

Friday August 28, 2009, 5:32 pm
I wouldn't call it socialism. it is much older than any ideology. I'm talking about solidarity, about helping people close to you, and stretching that circle as your influence and means you have grow.

We often forget how many people worked to provide things we use every day.
I am an atheist, but I like the idea of expressing gratitude before meal. It is deeply symbolic act, reminding us that we can't do it alone. We must link with many people who provide for us, so we are able to provide for them.
These ancient relations build a society, and solidarity is a fundamental spirit here.

Those with most power must show most empathy and solidarity.
Because, those with most empathy and solidarity should be given power.
somehow, we turned it upside down.

Friday August 28, 2009, 5:47 pm
We can spend Trillions on GUNS AND BOMBS but can't afford to feed People. There is something fundamentally wrong with US.

Friday August 28, 2009, 5:54 pm
"Those with most power must show most empathy and solidarity.
Because, those with most empathy and solidarity should be given power.
somehow, we turned it upside down."

Well said, Jelica. I've been watching the Ted Kennedy memorial. A speech of his was shown where he said something to the effect of what you have said. That those in power must show empathy and ensure care for those without. It doesn't appear so now, but I have faith we will get it right in our lifetime.

Friday August 28, 2009, 6:04 pm
"We can spend Trillions on GUNS AND BOMBS but can't afford to feed People"...

We cannot afford to spend Trillions on guns and bombs but we CAN afford to feed people!...

Problem is, we are only feeding the corporations (and their paid off governmental friends) supplying the guns and bombs...Corporations are NOT people...

Corporate involvement in goverment has got to STOP!...Then, and only then, will we have a government "FOR (not profiting from) the people" and the hungry will have food?

Friday August 28, 2009, 6:45 pm
Thank you David. Terrible! and the worst, that is all over the world

Friday August 28, 2009, 9:04 pm
This is so very for me I so love to help people now my landlady is gone to live with family (she is very bad off) the money she and her daughter make will help out there.I must find a place to live and the prices are high and I do not wish to live with a stranger.Then there is my parents house sitting vacant for 2 years.I would not mind living there I would pay rent.My family does not want me there I disagree with the coal miners.They can not sell the property to the mine or who ever because no one is buying at a good price. All has to go to pay my Mom's medical bills in the nursing home.Medicare will pay nothing unless she is getting therapy.So the whole farm over 250 acres plus all the buildings and House is just sitting there. I am Feed up with "The farm house is not fit to live in,we found two bats in there.Etc. OH,I can rant can't I. Such a waste while some are homeless and the barn sits empty in winter it could shelter some animals that have no shelter. Thanks,David.

Friday August 28, 2009, 9:20 pm
Yep, priorities all wrong ... as long as the military-industrial complex is raking in the bucks ... well, they don't give a damn about the "ordinary person" or the environemnt, it seems. Very very sad.

Friday August 28, 2009, 10:50 pm
Thank you for this article David. My heart breaks for my country and its people.

Saturday August 29, 2009, 12:00 am
I've been a Stephen King fan for decades.
In his brilliant book, "Hearts in Atlantis",
he has a woman who upbraides a man who helps
a homeless fellow. The woman says, "Don't
encourage them!". The point of the scene is
that it's not "encouraging" them, it's that this
is a HUMAN situation, and, as David says, we are
one people, one world. I would say that in the
situation of the homeless, it's "There but for the
grace of God go ANY of us!".
We never know but what a matter of circumstance could
make any of us to be the man or woman crouched on the
sidewalk, dependant on the kindness of strangers. Believe
me, I know, because I've been in that very situation for
3 years, and had it not been for the kindness of friends,
I would have been on the streets, or dead.
The next time you see a person on the streets, just remember,
that person could be YOU, and I'd urge you to act accordingly.
Thanks, David.
noted.

Saturday August 29, 2009, 1:01 am
At this very moment,I have no real friends save you here on care2.I made a mistake of isolation.now I pay the price.Also because of my son being in prison my family does not want me moving back. I am sad,Yes he is a sex offender.He did not touch he took pictures,and we both will suffer for it. His father does not wish to speak to me,but he was always weird.As you say there but for the grace of God I.Meaning anyone we are not immune.I know.

Saturday August 29, 2009, 4:59 am
" The country has been hi-jacked and taken over by a bunch of criminals"....a sign carrying protester says.
true. And as long as the hardworking people continue to give their support ( $) to corp and terrible gov actions it will get worse. We just need to be brave and stand up to them by finding other ways to sustain ourselves. I live in area that is pristine and beautiful, redwoods meet the ocean - homeless people are everywhere. Amazing, every corner, every store entrance, people in wheel chairs, mothers with children. Our tax dollars better spent helping others. be brave, Just do it!

Saturday August 29, 2009, 5:57 am
"I would say that in the situation of the homeless, it's "There but for the grace of God go ANY of us!" "

Tim...That scene in King's book has played out millions of times in this country over and over again, which is why we have so many on the streets. Our government threw out mental patients on the streets during the Reagan years. Families stopped caring about their children and pooling together to rescue someone who needed help. Some will argue that will reduced incomes, they cannot afford to care for other family members. I will argue that due to selfishness, family members are not willing to sacrifice their wants for someone else's needs. We are a ME society...never putting themselves in the other person's shoes. I've got mine...you get yours. This is the republican mindset. Our leaders must set the example because the majority of citizens don't think for themselves, nor do they all have the moral fiber to do so.

I will repeat was Casey said above:

"the quality of mercy is the measure of a culture"

Saturday August 29, 2009, 6:31 am
I agree with Marion, it is a ME society. 'I've got mine, you get yours'. I care about ME first, foremost, and above all else. Maybe my immediate relatives too (children, loved ones etc.). Sorry, but it ain't enough. Everyone is all part of the big family called society and community. Just YOU and your immediate family surviving is NOT ENOUGH.

I don't agree that it's a 'republican' problem or some other party or ideology. It is a human problem. Why do you think the environment and animals and wildlife and nature are also little insignificant specks in most people's live's? The ME attitude and lifestyle.

I agree with David that 'Corporations are NOT people' but guess what, corporations are composed of people. They are composed of individuals. The way a corporation acts is because of the way it's individuals act and think. A greedy person will make a greedy corporation. It has no life of it's own except the life put into it by indivduals.
Therefore the human being has to be fixed and is at the bottom of the problem, not corporations or parties or governments or ideologies or other non-living entities.

Saturday August 29, 2009, 6:59 am
Good points, Kenneth. I will clarify the republican party represents the greed and ME characteristics more so than the democrats. It is a big part of their philosophy of less help for the people...and more profits for corporations and the wealthy. The republicans have absolutely NO intention of approving health care reform, nor have they considered it in the past. Almost every program that has benefit the people has been fought tooth and nail by the democrats.

While we are responsible as individuals, the government represents the people and sets the tone. If they govern in a selfish manner, the weak minded among us -- and in the US there are many like this -- will follow suit of the governing party. Our media, working in conjunction with corporations, sways the public attitude toward their agenda.

I fully agree...the human being needs to be fixed...from the bottom all the way to the top. But we need to clean up our leaders, corporations and media to operate with integrity. The people have been demanding this, but with a rogue government, they do what they will. This problem is not exclusive to the US alone.

Saturday August 29, 2009, 2:01 pm
We have been made victims of the Greenspan/Paulson/Geitner/Freedman ad infinitum. Check this out on your own, but in Senate hearins involving Paulson, Sen Stearns stated that he was able to see his shares in Goldman Sachs for $200 BILLION and not pay one cent in taxes thus saving at least $30 BILLION. This is also true for Geitner but not Freedman who was stopped before doing the same thing. How does your retirement look compared to that. This is more money than my entire street will see in a lifetime.

This is our money folks! How do we reclaim our rights as citizens whose representatives are SUPPOSED TO WORK FOR THEM? We don't want to send our country into chaos, but somehow we have to regain control of what is ours -- OUR COUNTRY and our life blood. I have worked since I was 17 to pay at least part of my way and then all of it. I have no say so in how my money is spent, and in fact I am basically mugged for more. Where are all the smart people now? Where are the altruistic people now? Please don't tell me they've all retired behind their gated communities to wile their lives away under protection from those who wish them ill AND WE PAY FOR IT! This is just plain insane.

Saturday August 29, 2009, 2:05 pm
Sorry for the typos folks. In hearings, he was challenged about being able to sell his GS shares for $200B.

Saturday August 29, 2009, 2:43 pm
OF COURSE I FEEL HORRIBLE ABOUT THE DIRE SITUATION OF AMERICAS HOMELESS, HELPLESS AND HUNGRY. I KNOW ONLY TOO WELL, THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO I. THERE CAN BE NO PETITION FOR THIS, BUT IF THE WORLD WILL LIGHT A CANDLE AND SAY A PRAYER FOR THE DOWNCAST, MAYBE OUR PRAYERS WILL BE HEARD.
SHIRLEY H.

Saturday August 29, 2009, 3:18 pm
Of course everyone feels for the poor souls not only in America but all over our planet - there are countries many times worse off than America - some of it caused by America - so Dave yes it is a sorry situation but you only have your governing bodies to thank for it and that is the bottom line. America has not taken a course on how to win friend and influence people instead it has persisted in alienating many, many countries and has been too busy taking over and brainwashing other countries into its way of life and thinking - so - yes the some of us who still have a heart and feel the sorrow for these poor souls in their situations - it is not "there but for the grace of god go I" we all have choices I feel for your situation but I am more sorry for the destruction and plight of the other countries that are in so much worse conditions - it is a very sad situation. TY for the post. LOL

Saturday August 29, 2009, 4:38 pm
America has built itself on a foundation that was once strong, based on family values, where mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters cared for everyone within the family unit, many times grandparents would eventually move in with one of the family groups. The family unit tended to do most everything together.... They tended towards compassion.... Education was very important in America. After the great war, people other then only the rich were able, for the first time go to college, which they did just as when they were in the military, just like they did as a family, they did college as a unit, helping one another get through college and carve out a better life for all.
Then came the time when mothers also needed to bring in a check to feed the family, a new word was coined: latchkey kids.

These latchkey kids brought themselves up, mainly by the direction of their peers...... I guess we all know what happend next.

In America, evolution was rapid, as is now its decline..... We are all at the most wonderful time for spirituality as all the best of every religion is at our fingertips... We all are at least dimly aware of positive thinking and programs such as "The Secret"

This is the worlds natural course into chaos, which hopefully will bring humankind out at the other end even better.... this is my opinion, this is my hope, this is what I cling to in those dark hours of doubt.
Thank you David, thank you all for being my extended family. Warm regards, best of luck....
Namaste

Saturday August 29, 2009, 5:02 pm
As citizens we must be aware, open and broad minded to see and admit that those in government that refused to raise the minimum wage, take yearly salary increases, deny and diminish health care for all must be voted out of office. We must separate fact from the fiction that is used to brain wash citizens and deprive them of their rights.

Saturday August 29, 2009, 5:02 pm
I posted Bail Out the People-Not the Banks! about Bail Out the People Movement:

"Why are we demanding jobs or income at the G-20 Economic Crisis Meeting in Pittsburgh in September?
30 million people in the U.S. are unemployed or underemployed – We say NO!

Who is representing the people at the G20 conference? No one!
Profit recovery for banks - Jobless 'recovery' for workers

The banks are making huge profits again and concentration of wealth is in fewer hands. Instead of more regulation, they demanded and got less. The UN says just 500 rich people in the world earn more than the 416 million poorest people, and this is getting worse.
Instead of creating jobs they are demanding speedups. Corporate profits go up; wages go down and jobs or hours decrease.

Bailout money for us: $8.2 billion.
This is less than one-thousandth of the $12 trillion the banks have received.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, most of this went to state unemployment insurance programs or job training programs—for JOBS THAT ARE NOT THERE. Just $25 a week went to those receiving unemployment insurance.

Result for us: 30 million people in the U.S. are unemployed or working involuntary part-time.

Wall Street admits unemployment will be permanently high. Unlike other times when workers were called back, millions of jobs have been terminated. Others have had their hours cut. There are fewer jobs now than in 2001, although 12 million new workers have joined the labor force.

Fewest young men have jobs in 61 years of record keeping.
Teenagers age 16-19 suffer 78% unemployment.
For youth and people of color, this is worse than the Great Depression.
Foreclosures are continuing at record levels this year.
People are running out of unemployment benefits.
Personal bankruptcies are up again.
Retirees have lost 22% of their benefits, forcing seniors to work--but there are no jobs.

Will going to Pittsburgh make a difference for me or my family? Yes!

We are demanding a public jobs program and forcing corporations to hire so everyone in need is guaranteed a livable income. Only a mass movement of the people on the march, holding protest meetings and organizing in our communities, schools, unions, and places of worship, can change our lives. We must represent ourselves. It’s not easy, but it can be done.

If you have a job now, you can only protect it and your wages and benefits by joining the movement for jobs. With millions out of work your boss will use the competition among workers to get cheaper labor to replace you, make working conditions harder, or lower your wages.

PITTSBURGH IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THIS MOVEMENT

We need your help! Funds are urgently needed to help subsidize buses and vans and to assist with organizing costs for the
"March for Jobs."

Become a local organizer - help organize a "Jobs or Income Now" caravan (cars, vans, bus, etc) to Pittsburgh for the G20.

Volunteer.

Download leaflets.

Join the BOPM Facebook Group.

WORKERS ARE CONNECTED ALL AROUND THE WORLD

The G-20 bankers come together to make profits off the backs of the world’s people. Our lives are all connected now. Unemployment anywhere in the world is unacceptable. At the time of the G-20 Pittsburgh conference there will be protests in cities worldwide. We can compete against each other and die, or unite and have a better life now and for our children. A job is a right!

Join the March for Jobs, Pittsburgh, September 20! "

Saturday August 29, 2009, 5:05 pm
My son during his teen years got into reading Ayn Rand and calling me an "altruist." I guess that is true to this day but I would rather be an "altruist." than heartless and not think of my fellowman and the other creatures on this planet. Thanks,David You always make us think!

Saturday August 29, 2009, 5:53 pm
Right now, I'm reading Recovering from Neoliberal Disaster
Why Iceland and Latvia Won’t (and Can’t) Pay the EU for the Kleptocrats’ Ripoffs, by Prof. Michael Hudson

Very interesting.

Saturday August 29, 2009, 7:15 pm
Great comment but for one..."it is not "there but for the grace of god go I" we all have choices"

Loosely translated..."I'm all right Jack, to hell with you, you just made a wrong choice"...How many homeless people freely made the choice to live in abject poverty?...Living on the dark side of the moon, Moon?

You can't possibly be serious?...A very comfortable self-serving statement and the very reason so many homeless people will never get any help from people like you!

Saturday August 29, 2009, 8:26 pm
in orange county california, a person working minimum wage would have to work 141 hours a week to afford a one bedroom apartment. it's immoral to calculate minimum wage at anything other than what it would take to afford a one bedroom apartment in any given city while working 40 hours a week. please go to the illumination foundation website at ifhomeless.org and click the link to vote for i.f. for the cox cares grant.

Saturday August 29, 2009, 10:10 pm
Yes, I care. That is why I have so often urged people to support the anti-poverty parties (the Socialist Workers Party and the Greens), and to build a democratic socialist mass movement, to do civil disobedience and other effective campaigning, such as the actions used in the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam Peace movement.

Monday August 31, 2009, 6:12 am
Tis a sad reality, not just in the US, but the world over... thre definitely is a problem somewhere, and this needs urgent attention in getting help to where it is needed to the people... There needs to be more equality

Monday August 31, 2009, 9:45 am
Simon those are all Communist parties by another name.
Are you suggesting that the people in the US give up our individual rights to become a Communist country?

I don't think so.

"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it"
thomas Jefferson

The way to truly get rid of poverty in the states or anywhere is NOT to change our society or to dismember the constitution.
It is instead too localize more jobs, and depend less on the Federal Government and less on giant corporations for work and products.
If we as neighbors begin first to address the issues of our communities and turn to build small business that provide for our communities then we can also provide jobs and more resources to the deprived areas,even in times like this.

You will always have some degree of poverty.There is no way of getting around that.
Some people seriously do not want to live in the norms of our society.
Many homeless are menatly ill,addicts or such individuals that see no point in living and working as the mainstream of society does.
They would much rather live a life of begging or homelessness in exchange for what they deem to be 'free' life.I once volunteered at a soup kitchen in my city and this was the case. There are many resouces that they can take advantage of if they really wanted to change their lives.Many chose NOT too.
It is just a fact.
I should not force my way of living upon them or they force their way of living upon me.
It is called individual rights.They have that right to chose the life that they want to live.

Why people believe that personal responiblity is wrong is beyond me.

The Index of Global Philanthropy 2008 states that in 2006 the gave not only gave more than ANY other country in forgein aid.But our percentage of private donations compared to government remittances or aid was almost three times higher then any other country.
Including a HUGE percentage coming from religous organizations.
So may be the only way to actually take of the problems we have here in the States is start funneling foreign aid back to domestic aid.
But then if we do that then we are a 'horrible heartless' country for taking away foreign aid.
If we continue the trend of providing foreign aid and not taking care of domestic poverty issues then we are a "horrible heartless" country for that as well!

Damned if we don't, damned if we do.

So why don't other countries step up their foreign aid to match,NOT the amount,but at least the percentage that the US gives.
Then maybe we guys complaining from other counrties then have a right to complain about what the US does with it's funds.
Maybe you should concentrate on encouraging your own countries to give rather then forcing pressure on citizens of an already struggling country to continue to give and even give more then what it can and when it desperately needs to provide for it's own.

http://www.casefoundation.org/case-studies/index-of-global-philanthropy-2008

I certainly don't see any other country lending a hand to my country to repay us for our charity to others.
All I see are demands.

Do not look at others and scream faults before you have looked long and hard at oneself.

Monday August 31, 2009, 10:31 am
"merica has built itself on a foundation that was once strong, based on family values, where mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters cared for everyone within the family unit, many times grandparents would eventually move in with one of the family groups. The family unit tended to do most everything together.... They tended towards compassion.... Education was very important in America. After the great war, people other then only the rich were able, for the first time go to college, which they did just as when they were in the military, just like they did as a family, they did college as a unit, helping one another get through college and carve out a better life for all. Then came the time when mothers also needed to bring in a check to feed the family, a new word was coined: latchkey kids. "

KUDOS to you, Pete!! I agree that the breakdown of the family is at the core of the decay of America. An immoral, amoral society lacking of integrity and character cannot survive. There will always be poverty and despair in America, but the numbers now are exponentially greater than ever due to the breakdown and ignorance of the family. We are generations of people not educating our children, disciplining them and training them to be responsible, discerning, thinking adults. Most families now have criminals in their family, in prison, on drugs and down and out. This should not be the case in a loving, caring, responsible family environment.

Wherever we stand, we must stop this madness...or, stand back and watch the implosion.

Monday August 31, 2009, 7:34 pm
another one of our many disgraces....thanks for the story.

Monday August 31, 2009, 11:32 pm
Thank you David, but this is no surprise to me! Too many in this country would rather see the rich get richer and the poor get poorer than do anything to help change. There is a very dangerous feeling among many that as long as they are OK, who cares about anyone else? They might lose some of what they have if the poor are helped. There are too many people wha have worked hard all of their lives and now have little or nothing to show for it. It all makes me very sad.

Tuesday September 1, 2009, 4:01 am
Not only your country Carrie, it's a global pandemic!...The rich get sicker [sic] and the sick get poorer?