With all the things we see on TV,many of us dont know if poverty exists in the US.
2007-02-17 17:12:49 · 15 answers · asked by ELITE DONDOLOGY 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
There's a great deal of poverty in the United States, but we Americans find it unpleasant to acknowledge that, so we make very certain that none of the poor people are ever visible. We have developed the ability to walk right past poor people, even step over them on some occasions without even knowing they are there. We're proud of this accomplishment and think it's one of the things that makes America the Greatest Country In The World.
2007-02-17 17:18:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
No. It's not true. I am one of the working poor. I have a job but no medical insurance.
A shocking 37 million Americans live in poverty. That is 12.7 per cent of the population - the highest percentage in the developed world. They are found from the hills of Kentucky to Detroit's streets, from the Deep South of Louisiana to the heartland of Oklahoma. Each year since 2001 their number has grown.
Americans have always believed that hard work will bring rewards, but vast numbers now cannot meet their bills even with two or three jobs. More than one in 10 citizens live below the poverty line, and the gap between the haves and have-nots is widening.
2007-02-18 02:40:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't believe what you see on TV.There are millions upon millions upon millions of poor people in America. An estimated 37 milllion americans. Thats larger then the popualtion of Canada! People who can't afford a roof over their heads or medical care.Yes their are programs to"help" but you have to be the poorest of the poor . There are food panteries in most cities were a person can get free canned and boxed food and such, so there are not many starving people here. But you stll need more then food to survive.There are homeless shelters, but they fill up quick. Many homeless people are women with children. They might work, but can't afford childcare or housing. There is government funded housing avalible, but it can be difficult to get into, and in many major cities is located in violent neighborhoods were drugs and crime are a huge problem.
There are a lot of people out there that are just surviving, people who don't qualify for any real help, but are unable to pay for it themselves. A huge problem is medical care even middle class people have a hard time paying for it, you can forget about it if your poor. Oh sure there are free clinics, but the care is not nearly as good as having a regular doctor. America does not have universial health care like other wealthy countries.
The goverenment makes it hard to get ahead when your on government aid, they give you very little money but won't allow you to make any money of your own. Of course since the rich pay more taxes and have more political say, the plight of the poor often gets over looked.After all many people with the money don't want to pay for the poor, they rather the poor hurry up and die. Of course they don't out right say this, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out their meaning, after all the show it through their actions. They say were the richest country in the world, could have fooled me.
2007-02-17 18:05:47 · answer #3 · answered by Tit for Tat 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is plenty of poverty here. Chances are you won't see it unless you travel to these places. One of the worst most poverty stricken areas that I have seen with my own eyes is New Orleans, before Katrina. When I visited there a few years ago, I could not believe that such poverty existed in this country. Interestingly, I see someone here mentioned the homeless. But that statement is not accurate; there are many reasons why people are homeless. The majority of the homeless are mentally ill or substance abusers.
2007-02-17 17:27:48 · answer #4 · answered by candace b 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, poverty does exist. One good example is the people in New Orleans that suffered so badly during Hurricane Katrina. Look at any major, and even minor US city and you will see poverty. It's actually a huge and growing problem in the US. TV doesn't show it, b/c it's not glamorous and no one wants to be reminded of that lifestyle.
2007-02-17 17:44:31 · answer #5 · answered by Answer Girl 2007 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh, it is SO not true. There are so many poor people...some of our elderly have to decide if they prefer to eat or have the medicine that makes their life bearable. Some of the younger people have to make the hard choice between food for their kids or basic shelter. It's not a heaven on earth. There are so many things that COULD be done that are not being done to help. The people in authority will keep worthless human beings in semi-luxury in jail (and I mean 3 meals a day, don't get hungry, have a bed to sleep in) compared to what hard-working folk can get outside, it's no wonder the crime is rising.
2007-02-17 17:30:07 · answer #6 · answered by Baby'sMom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
poverty totally exists in the US! There are so many homeless people, especially in major cities.
2007-02-17 17:20:04 · answer #7 · answered by glacier_kn 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is lots of poor People in America.Minimum Wage is a poor Way of living,and some have even less.
2007-02-17 17:22:08 · answer #8 · answered by karl s 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but even the majority of our most poor are well off compared to the truly destitute in undeveloped countries. They are only "poor" by American standards.
2007-02-17 17:26:20 · answer #9 · answered by barefoot_always 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there is the poor, middle , upper middle, the Rich, and the filthy rich.
2007-02-17 17:19:39 · answer #10 · answered by me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋