Natalia, ever wonder why you immigrated? I think my daughter may eventually wish that she had taken that scholarship to the Stanislavski Institute in Moscow. I don't enjoy bureaucrats but I enjoy capitalists even less. If you have what you need, you are free to choose to do what makes your life significant as long as you have the discipline to maintain the competence. I've had that but I don't see it for the future. Communism failed in the West, now we are seeing the failure of Capitalism. What's left? Keith's version of Socialism? Maybe you could tell us a little more about that Keith?
REH -----Original Message----- From: futurework-boun...@lists.uwaterloo.ca [mailto:futurework-boun...@lists.uwaterloo.ca] On Behalf Of michael gurstein Sent: Monday, May 27, 2013 7:45 PM To: Futurework Subject: [Futurework] FW: [Dewayne-Net] The Real Numbers: Half of America in Poverty -- and It's Creeping toward 75% -----Original Message----- From: dewayne-...@warpspeed.com [mailto:dewayne-...@warpspeed.com] On Behalf Of Dewayne Hendricks Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 1:34 AM To: Multiple recipients of Dewayne-Net Subject: [Dewayne-Net] The Real Numbers: Half of America in Poverty -- and It's Creeping toward 75% The Real Numbers: Half of America in Poverty -- and It's Creeping toward 75% The Census Bureau has reported that one out of six Americans lives in poverty. A shocking figure. But it's actually much, much worse. By Paul Buchheit May 26 2013 <http://www.alternet.org/economy/real-numbers-half-america-poverty-and-its-c reeping-toward-75-0> The Census Bureau has reported that one out of six Americans lives in poverty. A shocking figure. But it's actually much worse. Inequality is spreading like a shadowy disease through our country, infecting more and more households, and leaving a shrinking number of financially secure families to maintain the charade of prosperity. 1. Almost half of Americans had NO assets in 2009 Analysis of Economic Policy Institute data shows that Mitt Romney's famous 47 percent, the alleged 'takers,' have taken nothing. Their debt exceeded their assets in 2009. 2. It's Even Worse 3 Years Later Since the recession, the disparities have continued to grow. An OECD report states that "inequality has increased by more over the past three years to the end of 2010 than in the previous twelve," with the U.S. experiencing one of the widest gaps among OECD countries. The 30-year decline in wages has worsened since the recession, as low-wage jobs have replaced formerly secure middle-income positions. 3. Based on wage figures, over half of Americans are now IN poverty. According to IRS data, the average household in the bottom 50% brings in about $18,000 per year. That's less than the poverty line for a family of three ($19,000) or a family of four ($23,000). Census income figures are about 25% higher, because they include unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, public assistance, veterans' payments, and various other monetary sources. Based on this supplemental income, the average household in the bottom 50% brings in about $25,000, which is just above the $23,000 poverty line for a family of four. 4. Based on wage figures, 75% of Americans are NEAR poverty. According to IRS data, the average household in the bottom 75% earns about $31,000 per year. To be eligible for food assistance, a family can earn up to 130% of the federal poverty line, or about $30,000 for a family of four. Again, Census income figures are about 25% higher because of SNAP reporting requirements, bringing average household income for the bottom 75% to about $39,000. [snip] Dewayne-Net RSS Feed: <http://www.warpspeed.com/wordpress> _______________________________________________ Futurework mailing list Futurework@lists.uwaterloo.ca https://lists.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework _______________________________________________ Futurework mailing list Futurework@lists.uwaterloo.ca https://lists.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework
