Are The Poor Really Getting Poorer?

Question

"Thirty-four percent of Americans say they belong to the "have-nots." Twenty years ago, only 17 percent of Americans defined themselves this way. What happened? "

"In 1995, 66 percent of poor households had air conditioning. Just 10 years later, in 2005, 80 percent of the poor had air conditioning at home. In 1995, 70 percent of poor households owned a car, and 27 percent owned two or more cars. By 2005, almost 75 percent owned cars, and 31 percent owned two or more. About 25 percent of the poor owned an automatic dishwasher in 1995. In 2005, more than 33 percent have a dishwasher. Microwave ownership jumped from 64 percent in 1995 to 89 percent by 2005."

"The lowest-income one-fifth of households spend, per person, as much today as the median American household in the early 1970s, after adjusting for inflation."

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/LarryElder/2007/10/11/did_americas_have-nots_double_in_20_years

Answer 1

I voted for Bush both times but he has truly failed the middle and lower classes. Unfortunately it seems alot of my fellow republicans are heartless bastards who assume everyone who needs a hand is a bum and lazy. At least I realize the government should be there to help those in trouble but not to support the same people their whole life. What ever happened to compassionate conservatism. I know people with their masters and PHds that are still having a much rougher time than they should for various reasons.

Answer 2

So twenty to thirty year-old cars and 4 or 5 $99 appliances are equated with wealth by conservatives? Is this the new American dream?

Is microwave food now the American dream?

Answer 3

What good is a car if you can't afford gas or insurance? What good is an air conditioner if you can't afford to run it? Yes, the poor are getting poorer, but the government is quite good at hiding and denying this fact. If things keep going the way they are, though, that will become impossible.

Answer 4

This is a defence mechanism the democrats want split wealth and will try anything to get it. Basically they look at land prices, taxes, costs of living and try to make it seem like people are suffering. It's mainly teachers, the teachers union say this all the time.

Rich people are usually a little better educated. No offense to the girls facts, not trying to be mean but just saying.

Answer 5

All a matter of perception. Some influential people have a vested interest in keeping certain sectors of society in a constant state of dependency.

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Answer 6

The cost of living in the U.S. is going up and a living wage is not advancing equally to it.

Answer 7

I don't think that the poor is getting poorer, but I think that the number of people considered poor is getting larger.

Answer 8

people who believe everything should be given to them will get poorer, and people who are poor but want to achieve more will definitely get richer.

Answer 9

Democrats need the poor to get elected. So they want to keep them poor. If you want free stuff - you are not voting republican!

Self Reliant People tend to believe in themselves;

VOTE BY INCOME……………….BUSH………KERRY

Under $15,000 (8%)…………..….36%……….….63%

$15-30,000 (15%)……………...….42%……….….57%

$30-50,000 (22%)……………...….49%……….….50%

$50-75,000 (23%)……………….…56%……….….43%

$75-100,000 (14%)…………….….55%……….….45%

$100-150,000 (11%))………….….57%……….….42%

$150-200,000 (4%)…………....….58%……….….42%

$200,000 or More (3%)…….….…63%……….….35%

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html

Answer 10

The USA has the world's richest "poor". They live as kings compared to the truly poor of the world. Excuse me for not having much sympathy