Americans in Poverty

America is considered to be the place to live when you want to be rich with opportunities and money. Money - the god of this world. It would be a lie to say it's not. Since America is supposedly the richest nation in the world, why do about 37 million Americans live below the official poverty line? While those who don't meet that low of a guideline, there are others who struggle constantly just to get by.

I've talked to people from all over the world. Especially some who live in the east have shared that they hope for the day when they can leave their country and get to America. I wonder if these people picture the streets of gold and everyone dripping in baubles? If so, they would be very misled and disappointed. I don't know if it's the excessive media exposure that the rich and famous get that spreads this idea all over the world or what, but it's just not true. About 37 million Americans can attest to that. This nation's leaders allow this many of the country's population to live in poverty. The last six years have seen rises in poverty and inequality.

The cost of everything rises but wages are not adequate. In fact, the federal minimum wage is nearly at its lowest level that it's been in 50 years. I know people who live below the official poverty line. Contrary to some people's beliefs, usually those who have not had to struggle financially, these people who live this way are not lazy. Americans work more hours per week and have less vacation time than most of the world. It's not about lazy; it's about poor leaders.

In the last 7 or so years, many who were not poor, find themselves poor today. About 5 million people to be precise. 1 in 8 Americans live in poverty and 1 in 3 are considered low-income. This is substantial.

So how about that greatly sought after American dream? It's becoming increasingly difficult to achieve for some and impossible for others. Who will it be impossible for? Children who are living in poor families have little chance at grasping the American dream. 42% of children born into poor families will remain poor. Health insurance will be out of reach for these people.

If a family of four were to make below $19,971 a year, they would be considered as poor. This may seem like a lot of money in other countries, but in America, with the cost of everything as high as it is, this doesn't go far. Then there are the extreme impoverished, about 16 million Americans, that fall below half of the poverty line. The only country that has a higher poverty rate than the United States among "rich" nations is Mexico.

Let's take a moment to see how the rich are doing? The richest 1% of Americans are at a historic high of claiming 19% of the nation's income. The rich manage to get richer.

The poverty in America is a spreading epidemic. It's leaving families hopeless. There used to be more equality of opportunity. I can say from experience, that this is a dwindling principle.

Recently, I spoke to a woman who lives well below poverty. Although she struggles to find employment, it is difficult to find work that will pay enough to make ends meet. She believes health care should pertain to all, not just those who can afford to fill the doctor's and insurance companies' pockets fuller than they already are with obscene health care costs. She says she falls behind a little more as the months go by. The light at the financial end of the tunnel gets dimmer and dimmer and she wonders why the nation's leaders can throw gross amounts of money everywhere but here. I think that's a good question.