Why is it that the level of poverty is going up in America?

Answer 1

I believe there is a hidden inflation problem in our country (look at the rising national debt and where the money is going. And for that matter where the worker level jobs are going too!) Also look at many public assistance programs in this country, when your income reaches a certain level your benefits are often severely curtailed or cut off including health benefits. I believe many people are afraid to take entry level jobs because if they lose that job the process of getting back on public assistance can be long and difficult, this unfortunately makes attempts to get off public assistance by getting a job seem like an unacceptable risk for people at poverty level, in my opinion.

Answer 2

Bah. Poverty is such a subjective term, especially in the US, where the definition changes depending on what politician is using it. They keep moving the lines of what is poverty as time goes on, so that it has more or less ended up barely even representing what is truly poverty. Even the poor people in this country are rich compared to places like Africa. Our standard of living is higher than anywhere else in the world. It's been going up for 50 years, and it still is.

Heck, if you can, by spending responsibly, pay your rent, feed and clothe yourself and cover most other expenses, I'd say you're not poor at all (people who can't pay their bills because they're irresponsible have only themselves to blame).

Politicians would disagree with me. But being a guy who grew up in a place like Africa where getting enough to eat is a daily struggle for a large portion of the population, it tends to change your perspective of what it truly means to be poor.

In this country, we get this impression that if you make less than 30,000 bucks a year you're a poor person. It's sign that our sense of value is really warped as a culture. Here, even the poor are ridiculously rich. A lot of people across the world would give their right arm to be an average "poor" person in this country.

Answer 3

I believe it's because we have a negative savings rate. Sure we may have policy problems, but that doesn't mean people still shouldn't be able to look out for themselves more. When you have poor people putting their money into bling, cars, grills, etc. it's obviously not helping their financial situation. They would be far better off putting their money into a community college to help them get a higher paying job. Or, despite being a small amount, they would be far better off putting the money they would've spent on rims into their house.

An overbearing desire for consumption is, in my opinion, the reason for increasing poverty, not government policy.

Answer 4

Can you give me a definition of poverty hey I'm only 11

Answer 5

because gas and home prices are outrageous not to mention jobs are scarce and not paying as much as the cost of living requires. it's sad because we're at the point where both parents have to work and who takes care of our children, oh there goes another 600 dollars a month to day care.

Answer 6

Because the government is busy making the rich man richer. Money talks in the US.

Answer 7

Because all levels of government are too big, too powerful, and too intrusive - trying to do too much, for too many , from too few.

We are being taxed to death and it is killing the economy and your opportunities.

It is time for another tea party.

Sonny

Answer 8

because our government is more worried about whats going on in other countries other than our own.

Answer 9

pEOPLE USING AND LIVING ON CREDIT CARDS . KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES, BUYING STUFF THEY CAN NOT AFFORD, LESS OVERTIME , WAGES NOT GOING UP , GAS PRICES ARE HIGH , UTILITIES THROUGH THE ROOF , AND DO YOU NEED MORE REASONS ?