The Woes of the Poor

Lately one of my favorite subjects to discuss is the plight of the poor in America. After checking out a book from the library about world poverty, my eyes opened a little. I knew that the poor, workers and non-workers alike, have a hard time finding jobs and higher living standards. I took some notes and gathered some statistics. Perhaps some of them will surprise you. I'm not sure that the poor in America are just lazy bums who don't want to work.

-Those who leave poverty in the United States are likely to return to it. About 46% leave poverty each year while 19% return to it sometime later down the road.
-The U.S. has one of the highest poverty rates among industrialized nations.
-In households with low food security, a high percentage of adults skip meals or don't eat all day.
-Since 1975, practically all gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households.
-In 2005, the richest 5% enjoyed 22% of all income.
-After welfare, many Americans become working poor.
-More than 1/2 of families who are eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families never receive aid.
-1/2 of the 26 million Americans getting food stamps are poor children.
-60% of those who could receive food stamps don't receive them.
-3.5 million people experience homelessness, 1.35 million are children.
-12-14 million Americans devote half their budget to shelter.
-More than 5 million households are defined as worst-case needs. Meaning that income falls below 1/2 local median and they live in substandard housing or pay more than one half their budget on rent. 2006.
-In 2003 93 million American adults had only basic prose skills.
-The U.S. entered the 21st century with the highest inequality among rich nations.

There will be more to come.