=A0
Census: More Americans living in poverty
Number of uninsured also rises
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of Americans living in poverty increased
by 1.3 million last year, while the ranks of the uninsured swelled by
1.4 million, the Census Bureau reported Thursday.
It was the third straight annual increase for both categories. While not
unexpected, it was a double dose of bad economic news during a tight
re-election campaign for President Bush.
Approximately 35.8 million people lived below the poverty line in 2003,
or about 12.5 percent of the population, according to the bureau. That
was up from 34.5 million, or 12.1 percent in 2002.
The rise was more dramatic for children. There were 12.9 million living
in poverty last year, or 17.6 percent of the under-18 population. That
was an increase of about 800,000 from 2002, when 16.7 percent of all
children were in poverty.
The Census Bureau's definition of poverty varies by the size of the
household. For instance, the threshold for a family of four was $18,810,
while for two people it was $12,015.
Nearly 45 million people lacked health insurance, or 15.6 percent of the
population. That was up from 43.5 million in 2002, or 15.2 percent, but
was a smaller increase than in the two previous years.
Meanwhile, the median household income, when adjusted for inflation,
remained basically flat last year at $43,318. Whites, blacks and Asians
saw no noticeable change, but income fell 2.6 percent for Hispanics to
$32,997. Whites had the highest income at $47,777.
Census Bureau analyst Dan Weinberg said the results were typical of a
post-recession period. He said the increase in the number of people
without insurance was due to the uncertain job picture.
"Certainly the long-term trend is firms offering less generous [benefit]
plans, and as people lose jobs they tend to lose health insurance
coverage," he said.
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry seized on the numbers as
evidence the Bush administration's economic policies have failed. During
the years Bush has been in office, 5.2 million people have lost health
insurance and 4.3 million have fallen into poverty, he said.
"Under George Bush's watch, America's families are falling further
behind," Kerry said.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton, R-Texas, noted
that while more people lost insurance, there also were about 1 million
more Americans with coverage in 2003. Overall, 243 million people had
insurance last year.
"The bottom line is this: More people in America have health coverage
today than at any time in our nation's history and I think that's a fact
worth noting, but we can always do more," he said.
Even before release of the data, some
Democrats claimed the Bush administration was trying to play down bad
news by releasing the reports about a month earlier than usual. They
normally are released separately in late September -- one report on
poverty and income, the other on insurance.
Putting out the numbers at the same time and not so close to Election
Day "invite charges of spinning the data for political purposes," said
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-New York.
Census Director Louis Kincannon -- a Bush appointee -- denied politics
played any role in moving up the release date. The move, announced
earlier this year, was done to coordinate the numbers with the release
of other data.
"There has been no influence or pressure from the [Bush] campaign,"
Kincannon said Wednesday.
Official national poverty estimates, as well as most government data on
income and health insurance, come from the bureau's Current Population
Survey.
This year the bureau is simultaneously releasing data from the broader
American Community Survey, which also includes income and poverty
numbers but cannot be statistically compared with the other survey.
William O'Hare, a researcher with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a
private children's advocacy group, expected increases in the number of
kids in poverty and without health insurance. He called the changes in
the way data was released "bothersome."
"It makes me wonder whether this statistical agency is being politicized
in some way," said O'Hare, who has studied the poverty and health
insurance data for over two decades.
=A0
.
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| User: "dreamwalker" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
27 Aug 2004 06:37:21 PM |
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I'm actually quite surprised the poverty rate isn't higher following the 9/11 attack. 9/11 had a
severe impact on my business and several others in the area. We're just now beginning to see levels
pick up to pre-911 levels.
.
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| User: "eric davis" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
28 Aug 2004 12:03:29 AM |
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"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote in message
news:77f5$412fc5b6$4076287b$2781@powerweb.allthenewsgroups.com...
I'm actually quite surprised the poverty rate isn't higher following the
9/11 attack. 9/11 had a
severe impact on my business and several others in the area. We're just
now beginning to see levels
pick up to pre-911 levels.
Boy, you really are a Stooge. One day, when it's too late, you will realize
that Bush is the main cause for jobs lost, record deficits, loss of American
prestige, and respect worldwide, the enrichment of the ultra-rich, and the
decimation of the middle class.
You have the President you deserve.
Go Bush go! 4 more years!
eric.
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| User: "Anon Ymous" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
28 Aug 2004 05:32:41 AM |
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"eric cartman" <ericdavisj600@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<eKRXc.25680$_H5.919813@news20.bellglobal.com>...
"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote in message
news:77f5$412fc5b6$4076287b$2781@powerweb.allthenewsgroups.com...
I'm actually quite surprised the poverty rate isn't higher following the
9/11 attack. 9/11 had a
severe impact on my business and several others in the area. We're just
now beginning to see levels
pick up to pre-911 levels.
Boy, you really are a Stooge. One day, when it's too late, you will realize
that Bush is the main cause for jobs lost, record deficits, loss of American
prestige, and respect worldwide, the enrichment of the ultra-rich, and the
decimation of the middle class.
You forgot the black plague, Satan worship, and the Spanish inquisition.
S~
.
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| User: "dreamwalker" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
28 Aug 2004 11:16:19 AM |
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"Anon Ymous" <shastaman@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:5c2e70b2.0408280232.57df4f15@posting.google.com...
"eric cartman" <ericdavisj600@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:<eKRXc.25680$_H5.919813@news20.bellglobal.com>...
"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote in message
news:77f5$412fc5b6$4076287b$2781@powerweb.allthenewsgroups.com...
I'm actually quite surprised the poverty rate isn't higher following the
9/11 attack. 9/11 had a
severe impact on my business and several others in the area. We're just
now beginning to see levels
pick up to pre-911 levels.
Boy, you really are a Stooge. One day, when it's too late, you will realize
that Bush is the main cause for jobs lost, record deficits, loss of American
prestige, and respect worldwide, the enrichment of the ultra-rich, and the
decimation of the middle class.
You forgot the black plague, Satan worship, and the Spanish inquisition.
S~
If Bush is elected the sun will burn out and the world will split in two. One piece for the right
and another for the left.
.
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| User: "eric davis" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
29 Aug 2004 12:35:06 AM |
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When I think of you, Dreamer, I hope, and I pray for 4 more Years of Bush.
YES! It would be great!
eric.
"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote in message
news:849dc$4130afd9$4076265a$7513@powerweb.allthenewsgroups.com...
"Anon Ymous" <shastaman@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:5c2e70b2.0408280232.57df4f15@posting.google.com...
"eric cartman" <ericdavisj600@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:<eKRXc.25680$_H5.919813@news20.bellglobal.com>...
"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote in message
news:77f5$412fc5b6$4076287b$2781@powerweb.allthenewsgroups.com...
I'm actually quite surprised the poverty rate isn't higher following
the
9/11 attack. 9/11 had a
severe impact on my business and several others in the area. We're
just
now beginning to see levels
pick up to pre-911 levels.
Boy, you really are a Stooge. One day, when it's too late, you will
realize
that Bush is the main cause for jobs lost, record deficits, loss of
American
prestige, and respect worldwide, the enrichment of the ultra-rich, and
the
decimation of the middle class.
You forgot the black plague, Satan worship, and the Spanish inquisition.
S~
If Bush is elected the sun will burn out and the world will split in two.
One piece for the right
and another for the left.
.
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| User: "dreamwalker" |
|
| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
27 Aug 2004 10:05:02 PM |
|
|
"eric davis" <ericdavisj600@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eKRXc.25680$_H5.919813@news20.bellglobal.com...
"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote in message
news:77f5$412fc5b6$4076287b$2781@powerweb.allthenewsgroups.com...
I'm actually quite surprised the poverty rate isn't higher following the
9/11 attack. 9/11 had a
severe impact on my business and several others in the area. We're just
now beginning to see levels
pick up to pre-911 levels.
Boy, you really are a Stooge. One day, when it's too late, you will realize
that Bush is the main cause for jobs lost, record deficits, loss of American
prestige, and respect worldwide, the enrichment of the ultra-rich, and the
decimation of the middle class.
You have the President you deserve.
Go Bush go! 4 more years!
eric.
Great! The liberal canooks finally admit that Bush WILL win.
.
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| User: "eric davis" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
28 Aug 2004 02:32:32 AM |
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"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote in message
news:4f335$412ff665$407628f3$3675@powerweb.allthenewsgroups.com...
"eric davis" <ericdavisj600@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eKRXc.25680$_H5.919813@news20.bellglobal.com...
"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote in message
news:77f5$412fc5b6$4076287b$2781@powerweb.allthenewsgroups.com...
I'm actually quite surprised the poverty rate isn't higher following
the
9/11 attack. 9/11 had a
severe impact on my business and several others in the area. We're just
now beginning to see levels
pick up to pre-911 levels.
Boy, you really are a Stooge. One day, when it's too late, you will
realize
that Bush is the main cause for jobs lost, record deficits, loss of
American
prestige, and respect worldwide, the enrichment of the ultra-rich, and
the
decimation of the middle class.
You have the President you deserve.
Go Bush go! 4 more years!
eric.
Great! The liberal canooks finally admit that Bush WILL win.
Go Bush, Go!!
eric.
.
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| User: "Grantland" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
02 Sep 2004 12:23:12 AM |
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"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote:
"eric davis" <ericdavisj600@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eKRXc.25680$_H5.919813@news20.bellglobal.com...
"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote in message
news:77f5$412fc5b6$4076287b$2781@powerweb.allthenewsgroups.com...
I'm actually quite surprised the poverty rate isn't higher following the
9/11 attack. 9/11 had a
severe impact on my business and several others in the area. We're just
now beginning to see levels
pick up to pre-911 levels.
Boy, you really are a Stooge. One day, when it's too late, you will realize
that Bush is the main cause for jobs lost, record deficits, loss of American
prestige, and respect worldwide, the enrichment of the ultra-rich, and the
decimation of the middle class.
You have the President you deserve.
Go Bush go! 4 more years!
eric.
Great! The liberal canooks finally admit that Bush WILL win.
Yes, you deserve him. 4 more years! Fucking pigstink.
Grantland
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| User: "Su Zanne" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
28 Aug 2004 05:12:37 AM |
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Eric,
I'm not even going to waste my time with them.
I did convince my 85 year old grandmother that she shouldn't vote for
Bush as she surely would have.
I told her everything he has done since he was elected and she had no
idea about it. She never watches TV unless it is Matlock or Perry Mason
reruns and she doesn't read the newspapers except for the sale ads of
course.
I don't think I have the time or patience to get thru to dw. He is
mentally deficient and should have his drivers license revoked and
shouldn't be aloud to vote or make other important decisions.
Su Zanne
.
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| User: "Barbarossa" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
28 Aug 2004 10:40:26 AM |
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"Su Zanne" <tugbertswife@webtv.net> schreef in bericht
news:252-41305A95-166@storefull-3217.bay.webtv.net...
Eric,
I'm not even going to waste my time with them.
I did convince my 85 year old grandmother that she shouldn't vote for
Bush as she surely would have.
I told her everything he has done since he was elected and she had no
idea about it. She never watches TV unless it is Matlock or Perry Mason
reruns and she doesn't read the newspapers except for the sale ads of
course.
I don't think I have the time or patience to get thru to dw. He is
mentally deficient and should have his drivers license revoked and
shouldn't be aloud to vote or make other important decisions.
Personally in a very weird way I hope Bush wins the next election.
Will be good for The Tribulation which has started with the wars for
oil and drugs. If Kerry gets elected we won't have much to talk about
in the next four years in this newsgroup. With Bush running the show
we will most certainly end up in WW3 much sooner than with Kerry!
Kind Regards,
Barbarossa
.
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| User: "eric davis" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
29 Aug 2004 12:42:12 PM |
|
|
"Su Zanne" <tugbertswife@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:252-41305A95-166@storefull-3217.bay.webtv.net...
Eric,
I'm not even going to waste my time with them.
I did convince my 85 year old grandmother that she shouldn't vote for
Bush as she surely would have.
I told her everything he has done since he was elected and she had no
idea about it. She never watches TV unless it is Matlock or Perry Mason
reruns and she doesn't read the newspapers except for the sale ads of
course.
I don't think I have the time or patience to get thru to dw. He is
mentally deficient and should have his drivers license revoked and
shouldn't be aloud to vote or make other important decisions.
Su Zanne
Dreamer and those like him are why I actually kinda, admittedly in a
perverse, schadenfreudian way, would like to see Bush win.
Go Bush go!!!! 4 more years!!! 4 more years!!! Only Bush can do to
America what needs to be done! Yeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. We're
all gonna die!!!
eric.
.
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| User: "dreamwalker" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
29 Aug 2004 10:54:08 AM |
|
|
"eric davis" <ericdavisj600@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:GXlYc.121$7i2.49452@news20.bellglobal.com...
"Su Zanne" <tugbertswife@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:252-41305A95-166@storefull-3217.bay.webtv.net...
Eric,
I'm not even going to waste my time with them.
I did convince my 85 year old grandmother that she shouldn't vote for
Bush as she surely would have.
I told her everything he has done since he was elected and she had no
idea about it. She never watches TV unless it is Matlock or Perry Mason
reruns and she doesn't read the newspapers except for the sale ads of
course.
I don't think I have the time or patience to get thru to dw. He is
mentally deficient and should have his drivers license revoked and
shouldn't be aloud to vote or make other important decisions.
Su Zanne
Dreamer and those like him are why I actually kinda, admittedly in a
perverse, schadenfreudian way, would like to see Bush win.
Go Bush go!!!! 4 more years!!! 4 more years!!! Only Bush can do to
America what needs to be done! Yeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. We're
all gonna die!!!
eric.
Bush is coming for you next, whiner boy. Hahahahaha....maniacal laugh.
.
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| User: "eric davis" |
|
| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
29 Aug 2004 04:13:33 PM |
|
|
"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote in message
news:b785$4131fc29$40762848$14115@powerweb.allthenewsgroups.com...
"eric davis" <ericdavisj600@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:GXlYc.121$7i2.49452@news20.bellglobal.com...
"Su Zanne" <tugbertswife@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:252-41305A95-166@storefull-3217.bay.webtv.net...
Eric,
I'm not even going to waste my time with them.
I did convince my 85 year old grandmother that she shouldn't vote for
Bush as she surely would have.
I told her everything he has done since he was elected and she had no
idea about it. She never watches TV unless it is Matlock or Perry Mason
reruns and she doesn't read the newspapers except for the sale ads of
course.
I don't think I have the time or patience to get thru to dw. He is
mentally deficient and should have his drivers license revoked and
shouldn't be aloud to vote or make other important decisions.
Su Zanne
Dreamer and those like him are why I actually kinda, admittedly in a
perverse, schadenfreudian way, would like to see Bush win.
Go Bush go!!!! 4 more years!!! 4 more years!!! Only Bush can do to
America what needs to be done! Yeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
We're
all gonna die!!!
eric.
Bush is coming for you next, whiner boy. Hahahahaha....maniacal laugh.
Go Bush Go!!! 4 more Wars!!!, oh um, I mean 4 more Years! 4 more Years!!
eric.
P.S. So far Bush has killed only 4 Canadians to 1,000 Americans. I like
those odds.
.
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| User: "dreamwalker" |
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| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
28 Aug 2004 11:28:20 AM |
|
|
"Su Zanne" <tugbertswife@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:252-41305A95-166@storefull-3217.bay.webtv.net...
Eric,
I'm not even going to waste my time with them.
I did convince my 85 year old grandmother that she shouldn't vote for
Bush as she surely would have.
I told her everything he has done since he was elected and she had no
idea about it. She never watches TV unless it is Matlock or Perry Mason
reruns and she doesn't read the newspapers except for the sale ads of
course.
I don't think I have the time or patience to get thru to dw. He is
mentally deficient and should have his drivers license revoked and
shouldn't be aloud to vote or make other important decisions.
Su Zanne
Relax girl. If you want to know about some really fun politics then check out the Burr-Hamilton
story. It's how political rivals used to settle their differences here in this great country. In
fact, I believe the history channel has a program about it. I think it's airing this weekend or next
week.
Did you see where Fox News took the camera on to the streets of New York? 80% of the people were
voting for John Kerry and his running mate, Tom Spud. They thought Tom had a great enviromental
plan. They also thought Tom's voting record in congress showed he was a man of the people. Go
Tom.......go! Liberals really know their canidate well. LOL
Frankly, I don't care who you vote for........JUST FUCKING VOTE! Use it or loose it.
.
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| User: "Michael Johnathan McDonald" |
|
| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
28 Aug 2004 02:21:15 PM |
|
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(Su Zanne) wrote in message news:<252-41305A95-166@storefull-3217.bay.webtv.net>...
Eric,
I'm not even going to waste my time with them.
Sure your not you have an ax to grind out of pure ignorance ;)
Why Because DW doesn't agree with your *****?
1950s, despite the huge Economic boom of that period, there were
percentages of more poor than there is today.
In addition, the poverty rate was higher in some cases during
Clinton's time vs. Bush Jr. time. Also illegal immigrants numbers in
this poll skew this and many third word countries citizen who only
have limited eduction cannot fulfill jobs. My home paper is filled
with job opening. There are help wanted signs all over the state.
Clinton forced Microsoft to India
Clinton sold high-duel-use-technology to the Enemies of America which
created, in his own words 22,000,000 jobs. We have no manufacture of
oil for our own economy because of the stupid leftists who want to
wreak other peoples ecosystems and not there own.
Democrats, and some republicans whom made porkbarral deals, have lost
jobs for America over and over.
I don't think I have the time or patience to get thru to dw.
That is not true - you have no facts! ;)
1950s there were more poor in percentage than today.
Su Zanne
.
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| User: "Su Zanne" |
|
| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
29 Aug 2004 01:22:32 AM |
|
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Mikey wrote:
<---Snipped----->
(CC&P is broke)
That is not true - you have no facts! ;)
It IS true and my ego isn't so starved to where I need to prove this or
that in these petty arguments and showdowns that you seem to thrive on
in this ng.
I am here for the fun of it and I don't care if I sign off with zero
points.
1950s there were more poor in
percentage than today.
That is the most ridiculous comparison I have ever heard.
You can't compare the 50's with today because the world is a completely
different place.
Technology is far more advanced and women entered the work force to help
"bring home the bacon" rather than just serve it.
I don't really need to go on do I?
I could if I cared......I just don't :)
YOU WIN Michael!
1000 points and a free ticket to..... ;)
Su Zanne
.
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| User: "Never anonymous Bud" |
|
| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
28 Aug 2004 06:45:34 PM |
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FALSE prophecies from the archives, (Michael Johnathan McDonald) on 28 Aug 2004 12:21:15 -0700
spoke:
tugbertswife@webtv.net (Su Zanne) wrote in message news:<252-41305A95-166@storefull-3217.bay.webtv.net>...
Eric,
I'm not even going to waste my time with them.
Sure your not you have an ax to grind out of pure ignorance ;)
You'd certainly be the group expert on ignorance.
--
To reply by email, remove the XYZ.
Lumber Cartel (tinlc) #2063. Spam this account at your own risk.
This sig censored by the Office of Home and Land Insecurity....
.
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| User: "Jean Guernon" |
|
| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
28 Aug 2004 09:24:06 AM |
|
|
Yeah yeah, blame Bush for Bin Laden attack, and for Clinton unilateral
policies of welfare elimination and the poverty that resulted that
prevents coping. Funny that it is Bush who wants to re-authorize welfare
and the dems who oppose it, isn't it.
But what would you know or care about Americans, you being a Canadian
with wall to wall social programs, and absolute hate for the US
administration.
You are a decoration here, and a bad taste one at that.
J.
eric davis a écrit:
"dreamwalker" <backfromthe@dead.net> wrote in message
news:77f5$412fc5b6$4076287b$2781@powerweb.allthenewsgroups.com...
I'm actually quite surprised the poverty rate isn't higher following the
9/11 attack. 9/11 had a
severe impact on my business and several others in the area. We're just
now beginning to see levels
pick up to pre-911 levels.
Boy, you really are a Stooge. One day, when it's too late, you will realize
that Bush is the main cause for jobs lost, record deficits, loss of American
prestige, and respect worldwide, the enrichment of the ultra-rich, and the
decimation of the middle class.
You have the President you deserve.
Go Bush go! 4 more years!
eric.
.
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| User: "Jean Guernon" |
|
| Title: Re: Reality Check! (For dw) |
27 Aug 2004 09:45:49 AM |
|
|
The result of Clinton's unilateral destruction of welfare.
J.
Su Zanne a écrit:
Census: More Americans living in poverty
Number of uninsured also rises
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of Americans living in poverty increased
by 1.3 million last year, while the ranks of the uninsured swelled by
1.4 million, the Census Bureau reported Thursday.
It was the third straight annual increase for both categories. While not
unexpected, it was a double dose of bad economic news during a tight
re-election campaign for President Bush.
Approximately 35.8 million people lived below the poverty line in 2003,
or about 12.5 percent of the population, according to the bureau. That
was up from 34.5 million, or 12.1 percent in 2002.
The rise was more dramatic for children. There were 12.9 million living
in poverty last year, or 17.6 percent of the under-18 population. That
was an increase of about 800,000 from 2002, when 16.7 percent of all
children were in poverty.
The Census Bureau's definition of poverty varies by the size of the
household. For instance, the threshold for a family of four was $18,810,
while for two people it was $12,015.
Nearly 45 million people lacked health insurance, or 15.6 percent of the
population. That was up from 43.5 million in 2002, or 15.2 percent, but
was a smaller increase than in the two previous years.
Meanwhile, the median household income, when adjusted for inflation,
remained basically flat last year at $43,318. Whites, blacks and Asians
saw no noticeable change, but income fell 2.6 percent for Hispanics to
$32,997. Whites had the highest income at $47,777.
Census Bureau analyst Dan Weinberg said the results were typical of a
post-recession period. He said the increase in the number of people
without insurance was due to the uncertain job picture.
"Certainly the long-term trend is firms offering less generous [benefit]
plans, and as people lose jobs they tend to lose health insurance
coverage," he said.
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry seized on the numbers as
evidence the Bush administration's economic policies have failed. During
the years Bush has been in office, 5.2 million people have lost health
insurance and 4.3 million have fallen into poverty, he said.
"Under George Bush's watch, America's families are falling further
behind," Kerry said.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton, R-Texas, noted
that while more people lost insurance, there also were about 1 million
more Americans with coverage in 2003. Overall, 243 million people had
insurance last year.
"The bottom line is this: More people in America have health coverage
today than at any time in our nation's history and I think that's a fact
worth noting, but we can always do more," he said.
Even before release of the data, some
Democrats claimed the Bush administration was trying to play down bad
news by releasing the reports about a month earlier than usual. They
normally are released separately in late September -- one report on
poverty and income, the other on insurance.
Putting out the numbers at the same time and not so close to Election
Day "invite charges of spinning the data for political purposes," said
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-New York.
Census Director Louis Kincannon -- a Bush appointee -- denied politics
played any role in moving up the release date. The move, announced
earlier this year, was done to coordinate the numbers with the release
of other data.
"There has been no influence or pressure from the [Bush] campaign,"
Kincannon said Wednesday.
Official national poverty estimates, as well as most government data on
income and health insurance, come from the bureau's Current Population
Survey.
This year the bureau is simultaneously releasing data from the broader
American Community Survey, which also includes income and poverty
numbers but cannot be statistically compared with the other survey.
William O'Hare, a researcher with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a
private children's advocacy group, expected increases in the number of
kids in poverty and without health insurance. He called the changes in
the way data was released "bothersome."
"It makes me wonder whether this statistical agency is being politicized
in some way," said O'Hare, who has studied the poverty and health
insurance data for over two decades.
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