Poverty Digest - for Thanksgiving Week, 2011

This from Twitter provoked me to prepare a short digest on the subject of U.S. poverty:

@kfedor79 Ken Fedor

Millions face #poverty without #unemployment benefits. Tell Congress to extend UI benefits now! bit.ly/qf0LnV @usaction #P2

**********

About the rise in U.S. poverty rates, David Hawkings sent a Roll Call newsletter on Nov. 7 with astounding new figures.  To quote:

POVERTY DATA: The government today increased by 2.9 million its estimate of the number of Americans living in poverty. The new total is 49.1 million, or 16 percent of the population, the Census Bureau said. In September, the agency pegged the numbers at 46.2 million, or 15.1 percent. Much of the increase came because of a recalculation of everyday costs, especially inflation in non-prescription health care items. As a result, the population 65 and older had the biggest poverty jump — to 15.9 percent from 9 percent. But the poverty rate for Hispanics rose to 28.2 percent, surpassing that of African-Americans for the first time.

**********

Newt Gingrich supports child labor as a solution to poverty explains Michael Stickings at The Reaction.

**********

The following chart is from Mother Jones,— "Child Poverty in the Great Recession," By Tim Murphy| Thu Sep. 29, 2011

Latino child poverty has skyrocketed during the recession: Courtesy of Pew Research

**********

Closer to home, in Fort Worth, according to the Star Telegram, the author of a book on poverty is again trying to climb out.

**********

So, as you approach your heavily-laden Thanksgiving table on Thursday, take a moment to reflect.  Some, indeed will still be hungry this Thanksgiving.

Posted via email from Southwest Postings