US Poverty Increases for Third Year in a Row; Census Bureau Data Shows

[Nambe]

U.S. Newswire

Bread for the World: US Poverty Increases for Third Year in a Row; Census Bureau Data Shows More People Falling Below Poverty Line

"These latest numbers are troubling, but what is even more alarming is the lack of serious debate during the election cycle about how to help the people struggling to lift themselves out of poverty," said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. "This is not a red or blue issue. Ending the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger is a red, white and blue issue. President Bush and Sen. Kerry need to move beyond events of 35 years ago, and focus on issues currently facing the families in our nation."

In a national poll of likely voters conducted on July 14-15, 2004, by Republican pollster Jim McLaughlin, a wide majority of voters (89 percent) said they considered a candidate's position on reducing hunger and poverty to be an important factor in deciding whom to vote for president. Additionally, 94 percent believe government anti-hunger programs are important.

Over the past two years, The Alliance to End Hunger has researched what voters think about hunger and what they expect from candidates. A majority of voters see hunger as an issue that should be addressed by candidates of both parties and will reward candidates who make solving the problem of hunger a priority. National polling shows:

-- Reducing hunger and poverty described as the most important issue by many voters, over environment and about as high as health care (July 2002, June 2003);

-- Rewarding candidates making hunger a priority -- 65 percent likely to vote for candidate making hunger a priority, 64 percent less likely for candidates who want substantial food stamp cuts (June 2003); ..

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. This is good news to chimp. It gives his "faith based" charities

something to do.

[LauraK]

5. Three years later, they may not be getting the message.

Or maybe there are too many of them out of work and poor.

[llmart]

2. Yes, the US is becoming more like a third world country....

more and more each day with the worst administration in my lifetime. You can't honestly think that Bush/Cheney care about people living in poverty now can you? Not when he and Poppy get little toys like Segways for presents.

[Laughing Mirror]

3. Wake UP John Kerry

65 percent of people say they are likely to vote for you if you make hunger a priority. Are you willing to sell your soul to appeal to 65 percent of voters? Will you?

[Alpharetta]

4. No problem for the Republicans

They'll just turn around the "War on Poverty" and make it the War on the Poor. They'll say it's the poor's own faults, etc.

[Robbien]

6. Bush changed the date of the release of this information

This is always released in September but Bush moved it up to get it away from the election. Also Congress is not in session and many reporters are on vacation and the Olympic coverage will help bury the story.

Bush also changed where the information was released. Instead of the usual place of the Press Club, they released it in a hard to reach Census office in Maryland.

Also, instead of a Census employee releasing the information, a Bush political appointee was picked.

[Sideways]

9. Slimey Bush Tactics As Usual

Bury the embarrassing shit. Lead with bullshit. What a LOAD OF PANTS.

[JanMichael]

11. Politicizing Poverty. Early release, appointee vetting it.

Ugh.

[Darranar]

7. More "recovery". n/t

[WillyT]

8. Top Story At MSNBC !!!

Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5829707/

Thanks a-fuckin-lot rePublicans!!!

May it come back to swat your asses from power!!!

:grr::nuke::mad:

[JanMichael]

10. That photo is inf'ingfuriating...

Stinking Repuke bastards don't give shit about that little boy. Probably even less if he were Black or Latino.

[Catfight]

12. How come America is facing an obesity problem with so much poverty?

[JanMichael]

13. Unhealthy food is cheap. It's also fast. Most poor folks are working too..

...much to take the time to make Salmon and Aspargus I guess...They probably also don't have Gold's Gym memberships.

[Yavin4]

14. High Carb, High Fat, and High Sugar Foods Are Plentiful

Eating at McDonald's is much cheaper and easier than buying healthy groceries and fixing the food at home. Moreover, many of the people in poverty probably work at a fast food restaurant.