45 Million Americans Live in Poverty, but You Wouldn’t Know It From Watching 2016 Coverage

[Uncle Joe]

One of the most pressing issues facing America is ignored by our corporate media.

Of the five Republican debates and of the three Democratic debates, not one moderator has asked a question involving the words “poverty” or “poor.” While the subject has been touched upon by some of the Democratic candidates, namely Bernie Sanders and briefly Jim Webb, the topic has been entirely unmentioned by the moderators during the three Democratic debates. In the GOP debates, the candidates only bring up the topic as a way to swipe President Obama, which is fair enough but is not a discussion of poverty much less a good-faith attempt to mitigate it. By comparison, the Democratic debate moderators brought up “ISIS” or “Terrorism” 21 times total in all three debates.

(snip)

Bernie Sanders has brought up poverty in the debates about half a dozen times, calling childhood poverty “a national disgrace." Hillary Clinton has not brought up the issue in the debates, though she frequently tweets about it. This is partly not the candidates' fault: if they’re not asked the question they can’t really discuss the topic. To the extent discussions of poverty are jammed into a response it’s part of a much broader answer about the economic problems America is facing.

Despite some economic progress since the recession of 2008-'09, the poverty rate remains stubbornly immovable. To exacerbate the problem, an increasingly cruel GOP Congress has slashed billions from the government food stamp program and ended unemployment benefits. Poverty is particularly bad for single mothers. One-third of families led by single mothers lived below the poverty line in 2013—or 15.6 million Americans.

One recent study linked poverty to diminished IQ in children. It impacts childhood education, crime and even future economic gains. A 2011 study attributed 133,000 deaths a year to poverty-related illnesses.

Islamic terrorism, by contrast, has less of a chance of killing someone than bee stings or furniture. Only 45 Americans have been killed since 9/11 as a result of al-Qaeda or ISIL-inspired attacks.

(snip)

Aside from the fact that the class interests of those who run our media and work in it are overwhelmingly wealthy, if not overtly anti-poor, the topic has no doubt been bumped even lower on the priority list due to recent ISIS fears. As The Intercept notes, in the wake of the Paris attacks, terrorism and ISIS are 2,344% more likely to get mentioned on CNN than poverty.

(snip)

http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/45-million-americans-live-poverty-you-wouldnt-know-it-watching-2016-coverage

This is a good read but poverty wasn't a major issue covered by the corporate media conglomerates even prior to the rise of ISIS.

[RKP5637]

1. Millions and millions of people are neglected in the US and that will not lead to a prosperous future

for the US. Eventually, it will cave in on itself. There is a strong undercurrent of discontent in the US IMO. One can feel it in the air in many places.

[Uncle Joe]

2. I don't know what the magic number is but a nation or society can only go so long

before it does "cave in on itself."

[RKP5637]

3. Some won't get the comparison, but that is why ISIS does so well, they give

people a job and a feeling of worth. That, is extremely dangerous if it is the wrong giver. I'm afraid the US of today is looking after the wealthy and pays often little heed to the majority, especially those struggling. We need one society, not a divided society.

Often when I hear some politicians talk today it's about how they are cutting this and that which often only benefits the wealthy.

What is really incredible is how those often in the worst situations often flock to politicians who will do them in.

[Uncle Joe]

5. I believe that's a testament to the corporate media conglomerations' great persuasive powers.

What is really incredible is how those often in the worst situations often flock to politicians who will do them in.

Their primary tactics are division and distraction, those politicians would be as the proverbial tree falling in the forest with no one or at least very few around to hear them if not for the corporate media conglomerates' relentless promotion.

That's why they incessantly promote Trump regardless of what he says with the Emperor's Clothes excuse of "he says outlandish things therefor it's newsworthy."

The corporate media conglomerates also actively work to keep the American People ignorant on the critical and moral ramifications of poverty, as the OP states massive poverty is more dangerous to our society, far more people have died or been damaged as a result and yet from the corporate media, it's crickets.

[RKP5637]

6. Yep, exactly! If one watches corp. media the message is most Americans are really really

well off, and those with less, well, they deserve it because it's their fault. In my lifetime the US has really become rather unpleasant in many areas. I really see difficult times ahead for Americans as they elect often peculiar politicians who have no interest, really, in the betterment of the country. And so many voters today are misinformed, often ignorant, and proud of it.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

4. less of a chance of killing someone than bee stings or furniture

this is just never said enough

[Uncle Joe]

7. I agree, SeLeftIAmRight.

It's amazing how many people's perceptions can be warped or distorted by relentless corporate media propaganda as to what poses the greatest danger to our nation.

The demonization of the poor has been ongoing for several decades and this happens along racial lines as well.

[senz]

8. Poverty has a huge effect on society.

Check it out. http://www.poverties.org/effects-of-poverty.html

[SoLeftIAmRight]

9. simple sad fact - poverty distorts the function of the mind

often with permanent effects

It would be much better to relieve this pressure than to address the consequences.

[senz]

10. Yes, honorable societies make it a priority.

We did, too -- before the Reagan Revolution.

[senz]

11. Another reason why we need Bernie Sanders.

He would not sweep people under the rug. He would deal with it.

[Uncle Joe]

12. I couldn't agree more senz.

Peace to you.

[Uncle Joe]

13. Sunday morning kick.

[Uncle Joe]

14. Sunday afternoon kick.