Im just looking for diferent opinions on this topic and would really appriciate a response.. Thank You..
2007-10-31 02:45:53 · 5 answers · asked by Jonathan c 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Basically, we use a fairly arbitrary number chosen to represent the 'needs' of a family.
Currently that number is $20,444 for a family of four people.
The big problem in defining 'poverty' is defining what you consider 'poverty' to be.
2007-10-31 03:01:01 · answer #1 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The democratic party does a census on how much each family makes in america. They figure out how many votes they need and they draw the poverty line there. Viola, instant voting base.
2007-10-31 03:28:17 · answer #2 · answered by The Mighty Quinn 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is done by a census and what the average is on tax returns.....Before any elected official makes a decision on what is poverty, they should be required to live on what they earn for 6 months to a year and in those same neighborhoods. I think they would be better able to make a solid decision.
2007-10-31 03:25:40 · answer #3 · answered by ShadowCat 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Census. Looking at the average cost of housing, food and utilities and comparing it to the average income per person/household/family.
2007-10-31 02:49:20 · answer #4 · answered by Doc 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I asked a very similar question a few months back about the "poverty line". Which means, of course, that I think this is a GREAT question. Here's what others had to say:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Akn0PE8a3MEZHnHGgsGaiDLty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070831083910AAB0SDz
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtH_6dI8_wfTF8XXqhau_z3ty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070831083957AAJQMaa
2007-10-31 02:53:58 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋