There are 37 million americans living below the poverty line in the United States...?

Question

If that doesn’t shock you does the fact that that is equal to the entire population of CANADA. Can we justify the spending of 2 billion dollars a day in IRAQ when this exists in our own back yard. Can you justify government passing laws which promote jobs leaving our country when this exists. Can you justify Government that doesn’t penalize contractors for hiring illegals. Can you justify electing a party that places its priority on making more money for the rich than it does getting the poor back into the middle class. Republicans like to act like they are not the cause… that everybody has opportunity in our country. But facts like these speack for themselves. Katrina didn’t create poverty… it just brought it to the surface. These are the issues that are important to all Americans. Do you agree? Do you disagree? What’s your opinion?

Answer 1

I really don't care about the poor anymore. We drove, on our firetrucks to New Orleans, when Katrina hit. They threw water bottles and food packets back at us and yelled that they wanted money. I drive around my home town and see them sitting on their porches while I go about my work. I see them buying $3 and $4 packets of cigarettes. The rich pay these people. So what. How much have you done for them.

Answer 2

Maybe the economic level that determins the poverty line should be lowered. I see a lot of people that I know for a fact are collecting benifits, yet they drive around in nice cars, with nice sound systems, they have gold teeth, gold jewlery, smoke cigars, wear two hundred dollar shoes and don't work. They have plenty of money to burn. They must have a side gig going, what could it be!
Americans, even the poorest, live a hell of a lot better than many people from other countries. If somebody here is dirt poor, then it is because, they are lazy, they are happy being where they are, or they operate outside of the law. If people want to have the better things in life, then America is the place to do it, you just have to want it. If the republicans are gathering fortunes by doing what they do, then why complain. If you want what they have, then do the same things they do. Get into business with them if you want money. It's right there for you to take. And hey, republicans aren't the only people getting rich off of this war. I'm sure if you do some research, you will find plenty of Dems with their fingers in the pot also. And they are from all religious backgrounds.
I agree that the government should be prosecuting businesses that hire illegals. And they should be rounding up the scum bags that are making the fake documents for the illegals. Only time will tell how the new democrat controlled house and congress will handle the illegal alien problem. My guess is that they won't do a damn thing about it. The dems have been bashing the repubs for the last eight years about that problem. Now that they have the power, they will ignore it, and focus on something that isn't a great of a concern as illegal immigration. They will make up a new issue, something like gay teachers in catholic schools, will be their new clairon call.

Answer 3

Lots of good questions! I can't justify a government that does any of these things. I am in that below poverty range. This war is another VietNam...it can't be won. This government has wasted billions to make the rich, richer, especially the government contractors (and we all know who they are-or who it is). There has never been a larger gap between the wealthy and poor as there is now. Politicians in the back pocket of every special interst group in the country-namely the pharmaceuticals, oil, insurance, etc.- getting off scott-free after their little payola schemes. If we were to take half of what we're spending in Iraq and created new jobs with decent wages to citizens, the benefits would be fantastic! There would be a larger tax base for one and people would feel better about themselves being able to support their families and contribute to society. Republicans (and some democrats) are to blame for what is happening now. Like you said, Katrina just brought it all to the surface. Everything that has been done over the past 6 years has only benefitted the wealthy, never the poor. I am truly waiting for King George II (Bush, Jr) to make a speech and end it with "Let them eat cake".

~Irish~

Answer 4

Even if our government wasn't spending the kind of money they are spending in Iraq do you really think that money would go to help the people out who are living below the pverty level? No! They weren't helping those people out before the war. They won't be helping those people out after the war. And they wouldn't be helping those people if there were no war. I am one of those people living below the poverty level and ya know what the sad part of that is? My husband fought in the war in Iraq. He served his country for almost 9 years and that entire time his pay was below poverty level. Now he is a disabled combat veteran and we still live below the poverty level. Your government is not the reason for this. Do you realize that Tom Cruise who works for maybe 3-6 months per movie makes 20 million dollars per movie? Do you know what professional athletes make a year? Doesn't that sicken you?

Answer 5

Offhand, I'd say most "poor" people in America are doing pretty well. They so often have cars, cable TV, air conditioning, lots of nice possessions. And many poor people fix their lives and become middle class people and do even better.

We're spending money (and blood) in Iraq to liberate millions of people from an unbelievably bad dictatorship, and fighting vicious terrorists and Islamic extremists. We're trying to defeat global terrorism. Do you have a better idea on how to defeat global terrorism?

True, our government isn't doing enough to end illegal immigration. That bothers me a lot. But has there ever been a government that does everything you think it should?

Answer 6

I find some of these answers amazing! Apparently the poor aren't "poor" enough to make some people happy. They think because they are poor they should "live" as poorly as possible, no car, no a/c, no cigarettes that they shouldn't try to have some semblance of happiness. Would you feel better if you saw dirty, fly covered starving people? In this country poverty is considered a little over $19,000/year (can't remember the exact number). Believe me, I have been there, and yes it is amazing that our government perpetuates poverty by giving tax breaks to the wealthiest 2% and cutting back on social security , welfare and Community Betterment programs. Nobody "likes" being on welfare, but with rising healthcare costs sometimes it is impossible to break the cycle. I think healthcare should be free for everyone. I know me and my husband are paying ALOT for a health insurance and barely keeping our heads above water because of it. So, to sum it up, I agree with you.

Answer 7

Everyone is responsible for their own existence. This country does not guarantee it's citizens a free ride. I does guarantee them the opportunity to succeed and prosper. But that come with hard work and smart decisions. Socialism promises "a bird in every pot". Capitalism promises a chance to improve your life with hard work.. As for the money being spent on the war in Iraq, I would rather be poor and not hunted by Islamic terrorist on U.S. soil then be hiding in my house afraid of being killed by a bomber. If the U.S. armed forces do not confront the enemy on their soil then they will have the time and resources to come here to kill our civilians, By the way you are one of the civilians they would try to kill. You are a westerner, they do not care about your political associations, feelings or social class. They just want you DEAD.

Answer 8

let me respond to all of your points. first no it does not shock me that the population of canada equals the number living under the poverty level the law of large numbers shows it is possible. next, the problem we have in america is a lack of character and work ethic, at least those in iraq are trying to egt themselves out of their current situation. next, government is trying to stimulate the economy by sending jobs out. example: we americans want low prices and competition but how can a company offer those low prices with high costs associated with production. i cannot justify a company not getting penalized for hiring illegals, but refer to my last point and from experience i can say that i have offered many citizens entry level jobs paying $7-8/hr and that wasnt enough. so someone has to do the work. as for electing a party that places priority on money for the rich let me remind you that democrats were just elected :), no seriously, do not forgett he tax cuts that many americans benefitted from. i know what you are thinking 1% got 99% of the money. be mindful that those 1% pay 99% of the taxes in this country too, and ted kennedy and john kerry were more than happy to get this money as well as all of dick cheneys big oil buddies. next point, everybody does have opportunity. i started woring when i was 16, entry level and worked my way through college, paying as i went, no loans or help from mom and dad (except for engouragement). now i still work for the same company have moved into a management position and make a comfortable living, btw the manageemnt position was no based on my degree but based on my work ethic. katrina did expose one thing to me as i have traveled through new orleans in years past, it is a very dirty, filthy, immoral, wicked city. mardi gras is a perfect example and it shows the moral decay of that city and those that go to it for that event. those people have opportunities for employment at many establishements like walmart mcdonalds and the like, by no mean swill they be overnight millionaires but they can live live well as i do. and a little more about my case specifically. i work to support my wife who stays at home with my 2 kids. i own a house and car..not lease or rent....own. and probable the most important point is that i fall under federal poverty guidelines. so do not let that 37 million in poverty shock you. i live well. i am not frivilous. i work hard. so can they

Answer 9

Each and every American has the same opportunity to succeed. It's a matter of choice. I worked 2 jobs to get myself through college and earned the education and skills I needed to get a great job. I worked hard at that job and earned a good paycheck. So the question becomes this: Why are so many people living in poverty when it's not that hard to succeed? Again, it's a choice we all have to make and it's completely irrespective of the political party in power. As far as illegal aliens go, they should all be deported and the employers who hire them should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Answer 10

did you also know that of those 37 million in poverty, 17% of them work full time, (thats roughly 630,000) im guessing you did not, so please, before you ***** and moan about republicans and how were insensitive to the poor people in America, do some freakin research, and i dont mean watchg cnn and Oprah. youre righ,t the facts do speak for themselves, so please learn the facts! you have absolutley no idea what youre talking about. you are putting WAY to much faith in John Edwards. if i was in new orleans, i would probably try to kill him, for exploiting the people of new orleans by acting like he actually cares.

Answer 11

no one really cares... they just make up excuses like "the poor aren't poor, they have all this stuff"... "they can work for it if they want it" and so on...

basically... people only care about themselves...

one day, God may take away our blessings, since we make excuses why we don't share them... then those that were blessed will realize how naive they actually were...

and is anyone actually naive enough to believe that someone from the ghetto has the same opportunities as everyone else... if you even start to believe that... take a trip to the ghetto... open your eyes... even stop and talk to people there... go inside a school there... "everyone has equal opportunity" is the call of the naive that don't go outside their comfort zone...