Politicians and mainstream media often ignore the poor but the growing numbers of Americans slipping into poverty should put an urgently needed spotlight on this crisis.
While the nation’s elected leaders talk about federal deficits, slashing social programs, cutting public sector jobs and other austerity measures, the government reported last week that another 2.6 million Americans slipped into poverty last year.
The Census Bureau reported Sept. 13 that the number of Americans living in poverty soared to 46.2 million people, the highest number in the 52 years the bureau has been publishing figures on it.
The poverty rate for all American increased in 2010 for the third consecutive year, to 15.1 percent, an increase from 14.3 percent in 2009.
Minorities were hit the hardest.
The poverty of African-Americans in 2010 rose to 27.4 percent from 25.8 percent a year earlier, and for African-American children it was an alarming 39 percent.
The poverty rate for Hispanics rose to 26.6 percent from 25.3, and it was 35 percent for Hispanic children.
The poverty rate for Asians was unchanged at 12.1 percent.
The poverty rate for Whites rose slightly from 9.4 percent to 9.9 percent.
The Census report shows minorities have been left out the nation’s economic recovery.
This is also the first time since the Great Depression that median household income, adjusted for inflation, had not risen over such a long period of time.
The Census report on growing poverty comes as state and local governments have made deep cuts to staff and to social programs, pushing even more families into poverty.
Economists said joblessness was the main reason more Americans were pushed into poverty.
According to Census officials, last year about 48 million people ages 18-64 did not work even one week out of the year.
The unemployment rate has stayed steadily this year above 9 percent; for African-Americans it has been roughly at 16 percent.
The soaring poverty in America should create a sense of urgency in President Obama and Congress to pass legislation that will lead to job creation and stimulate economic growth.
(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)
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