DSA Fact Sheet: Poverty
JaguarSocialist
2012/07/26 16:42:21
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17% | |||
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50% | |||
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33% | |||
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http://www.dsausa.org/pdf/DSA_Poverty_Fact_Sheet_v13_2012.03....
How has the U.S. poverty rate changed in the past few years?
During the 1960s and 1970s the official poverty rate in the U.S. declined, falling from 17% in 1965 to 11% in 1978. The rate then increased throughout the 1980s but fell back to 11% in 2000. However, in 8 of the first 11 years of the 21st century the rate has risen. It is now back to 15%
What are some policies that would reduce poverty?
Labor market legislation: The single most important government policy to affect the labor market is setting the minimum wage. Over the past four decades, increases in the minimum wage have lagged behind income growth. In 1967, a full time job at the minimum wage provided an income that was 36% of the median (midpoint) family income; by 2010, it provided an income representing only 30% of the median. Today, half of poor families have a full time worker as a household member.
Redistributive taxation: Most wealthy countries tax the rich more than the U.S., and they reduce the level of poverty (and inequality) by transferring some of the money to lower income households, both in the form of direct cash benefits and in the form of providing social goods such as health care and education. The U.S. does very little of this; our pre- and post-tax levels of inequality and poverty are quite similar.
Employment creation: Another method for reducing both poverty and inequality would be to mandate that the federal and/or state governments serve as employers of last resort, ensuring that all who are willing and able to work have access to well paying jobs. We did a significant amount of this in the 1930s to counter the huge increase in unemployment during the Depression. More recently, Argentina has used this policy to assure productive work to many otherwise unemployed. From infrastructure improvements to education, there is plenty of work to be done that would benefit our society.
How has the U.S. poverty rate changed in the past few years?
During the 1960s and 1970s the official poverty rate in the U.S. declined, falling from 17% in 1965 to 11% in 1978. The rate then increased throughout the 1980s but fell back to 11% in 2000. However, in 8 of the first 11 years of the 21st century the rate has risen. It is now back to 15%
What are some policies that would reduce poverty?
Labor market legislation: The single most important government policy to affect the labor market is setting the minimum wage. Over the past four decades, increases in the minimum wage have lagged behind income growth. In 1967, a full time job at the minimum wage provided an income that was 36% of the median (midpoint) family income; by 2010, it provided an income representing only 30% of the median. Today, half of poor families have a full time worker as a household member.
Redistributive taxation: Most wealthy countries tax the rich more than the U.S., and they reduce the level of poverty (and inequality) by transferring some of the money to lower income households, both in the form of direct cash benefits and in the form of providing social goods such as health care and education. The U.S. does very little of this; our pre- and post-tax levels of inequality and poverty are quite similar.
Employment creation: Another method for reducing both poverty and inequality would be to mandate that the federal and/or state governments serve as employers of last resort, ensuring that all who are willing and able to work have access to well paying jobs. We did a significant amount of this in the 1930s to counter the huge increase in unemployment during the Depression. More recently, Argentina has used this policy to assure productive work to many otherwise unemployed. From infrastructure improvements to education, there is plenty of work to be done that would benefit our society.
According the US Census Bureau we (my family) are "right wingers" living in poverty, even though we own our own home, two cars (and one beat up old truck), two x box game consoles, A plasma tv and have air conditioning. Interestingly enough we do not use food stamps, energy assistance or other government programs. We even have our own private health insurance. We even make a trip over seas (visiting family) every now and then. But yet we are still considered to be living in "poverty".
How the Census Bureau measures poverty
http://www.census.gov/hhes/ww...
You say the wealth of the richest has grown tremendously. Many of the richest are not "right wingers".
Your post talks about redistributing wealth. The top 10% of wage earners pay 55% of Federal taxes. A majority of the Federal budget is spent on Health and Human Services. We're already there.
http://www.federalbudget.com/