Alarming Poverty Rate: Is U.S. Becoming a Third World Country?

[RKP5637]

I thought this was a pretty good summary ...

"Alarming Poverty Rate: Is U.S. Becoming a Third World Country?"
International Business Times
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/213562/20110914/poverty-u-s-china-u-s-census-bureau.htm

"The U.S is ranked 41st in the world for infant mortality rate and 46th for total life expectancy. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that the United States ranked poorly in terms of Years of Potential Life Lost, a statistical measure of years of life lost under the age of 70 that were amenable to being saved by health care.

All these factors warn the U.S. to take immediate measures to prevent the future from becoming worse."

<snip>

"The incapacity of the nation for creating jobs can be the major cause for the prolonging distress. In 2009, the total number of Americans who fell below the official poverty line was 43.6 million. Out of the 2.6 million added to the list, more than 60 percent have mentioned that they did not work even one week last year.

The percentage of Americans who are devoid of health coverage rose from 16.1 percent to 16.3 percent. The rise was owing to sustained losses of health insurance provided by the employer in the weakened economy.

The poverty rate has increased to 22 percent among children. While among the black children, poverty rate has increased to 39 percent, and among the Hispanic children, poverty rate has touched 35 percent.

The white child poverty rate has reached 12.4 percent. The report clearly provides the new confirmation regarding the incapacity of the country for escaping the persistent outcomes of the recession."

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/213562/20110914/poverty-u-s-china-u-s-census-bureau.htm

[Desertrose]

1. Sure looks that way.

In fact...maybe it's not "becoming" so much as "already become".

[RKP5637]

2. Yeah, I was thinking similar, I think we're already there for many in the US, at least

for 20% of the country, probably more.

[SixthSense]

3. We are there

all that remains is recognition

[Quantess]

4. The US is striving to be like Mexico, with it's wealth disparity.

Remember, the world's richest man is a Mexican.

[pampango]

6. There's already not much difference in terms of income inequality.

The GINI of the US is 45 while Mexico's is 48.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_income_equality

Canada is at 32, while most of Europe is from 23 to 32 (Sweden-23, Germany-27, the UK-32). Even China (42), India (37) and South Korea (31) are better than the US in terms of income equality.

[Quantess]

7. Thanks for that.

At the rate we're going, we'll be on par with Mexico in no time at all.

[raccoon]

5. Yes. nt

[Quantess]

8. time for a kick