The Myth Of Child Poverty

The headline says - A Plan To End Child Poverty

Do you know children who are expected to work and support themselves? I don't. I'm not even sure we realize how some seek to manipulate issues with the word choices they use today. But I do find it troubling, frankly. Say what the issue is, don't couch it in terms designed to sell it as something it isn't. If you wish to discuss children living in poverty - do it. But don't play upon raw emotions with politically functional speech that's actually misleading, or incorrect.

Since 2000 the number of American children living in poverty has risen 12 percent -- to 13 million. The initial growth was due to the economic downturn. But since then, despite the ongoing expansion, the poverty rate for children on this side of the pond keeps rising, largely because the benefits of the recovery have flowed so disproportionately to families at the top of the income scale.

Hmm is that right? Did you check the census site?

The number of people below the official poverty thresholds numbered 35.9 million in 2003, or 1.3 million more than in 2002, for a 2003 poverty rate of 12.5 percent. Although up from 2002, this rate is below the average of the 1980s and 1990s.

So, the average of people, and one can consequently assume children, is lower than when Clinton was President? Interesting that they left out that bit of history. And since it is in the news, how does illegal immigration impact the poverty numbers?

Poverty among immigrants in general and Mexican immigrants in particular is significantly higher than that of natives. In 1999, 11.2 percent of natives (compared to 16.8 percent of all immigrants) lived in poverty. The poverty rate for Mexican immigrants is dramatically higher than that of natives or immigrants in general. In 1999, 25.8 percent of Mexican-born immigrants lived in poverty — more than double the rate for natives. In other words, despite the current economic expansion, about one in four Mexican immigrants lives in poverty, compared to about one in ten natives.

Interesting, a half a million illegals a year is a commonly used statistic - not sure what the math would be to get to children, but you get the drift. It's reasonably acknowledged that we import poverty through our southern border. Take one half million a year coming in over the entire Bush presidency and poverty is still below the levels under Clinton. So, why do reporters even do such uninformed stories?

Because most people believe them, unfortunately. And don't even get me started on what it means to live in poverty in the US, as opposed to most of the rest of the world. We have one of the few nations in which many of the poor can watch their plight depicted on television.

Don't get me wrong, I do feel for child born to poverty. But I also believe that in many cases, what is needed is for their parents or parent to go to work and also teach the children to aspire to something more, economically speaking. Is that so wrong?

Comments

[Laertes]

"So, the average of people, and one can consequently assume children, is lower than when Clinton was President?"

Is that right?

"Although up from 2002, this rate is below the average of the 1980s and 1990s."

That's interesting. We had to lump the 80s in with the 90s to get that result. I call shenanigans.

Maybe the poverty rate was higher during Clinton's presidency, as you claim, and maybe it wasn't. The data you cite, however, don't support your claim.

[COLUMBO]

it was in the 90's because it was rewarded-created.....and welfare reform has changed the culture of poverty....to a degree....many couples would stay unmarried in order to maximize subsidy income

now food stamps are advertising on the radio because they don't want their budget cut....even actively lobbying to lower the eligibility in order to burn up the existing budget to keep it at current levels

now who is dependent on who? the government or the "poor?"

[Phoenix]

Columbo,

I got lost there. ?? Welfare need and food stamp need are down, and in order to keep the coffers filling, 'they' are lowering requirements to get the help? Who is 'they'?

[Rick]

It was Clinton who initiated welfare reform. The last Bush couldn't get it through the Dem controlled congress.