Poverty in John Boehner's District (The Nation)

[kpete]

Poverty in John Boehner's District
Greg Kaufmann
Indeed in 2009, childhood poverty rose over six points in the Boehner district to reach 19.1 percent, or 29,173 kids. Overall, 14 percent of Boehner’s constituents live below the federal poverty line of $22,400 per year for a family of four. Shared Harvest’s work has more than doubled—it distributed approximately 7 million pounds of food in 2007, and 16 million pounds in 2010.

To respond to increased child hunger, the food bank started a backpack program that provides weekend meals to kids identified by schools as chronically hungry. The warning signs include physical manifestations such as sunken eyes or crusting around the mouth, or behaviors like rushing food lines or hoarding food.

“These are kids ages three to twelve who are at a critical point in their brain development and need adequate nutrition,” says Osso. “We’re only in eleven of the forty-eight school districts in our territory and we now serve about 2,100 children a week. It’s stunning.”

Boehner has many constituents living above the official poverty line who are struggling with hunger as well. In 2010, the number of residents enrolled in the food stamp program (SNAP) in the six counties represented by the Speaker climbed to over 152,000, an increase of over 47,000 people since 2008. Nevertheless, food stamps would be slashed under the House GOP 2012 budget.

the rest:

http://www.thenation.com/blog/159861/poverty-john-boehners-district

[lonestarnot]

1. ackety that ickyleaker.

[Bandit]

2. If all those people voted Bohner would not be there.

:shrug:

[FormerDittoHead]

5. +1000 n/t

[peace13]

6. In Ohio ,voter suppression has been active for years.

Bring in your photo ID or a copy of your bank statement or your electric bill and you can vote. Don't have any of these? Live with your parents or kids and don't have any money in the bank...guess you aren't voting.

This year our new SOS removed 300,000 names form the poll book and the state officials voted to require a photo ID that will leave over 900,000 voters out in the cold unless they can get to the License bureau and get an ID. Make sure that you have your birth certificate and your SS card with you and if you are a divorced woman who has ever been in the system under your maiden name be sure to bring along a copy of your marriage license and your divorce decree.

So you see sometimes those poor folk aren't so much lazy as overwhelmed by the system.

[Bandit]

7. The people in Power making those new voter registration laws

How did they get there anyway? They were voted in by a majority, so obviously a majority feels like that is what is needed. Obviously the poor are not a part of the majority and are not going to get their way on any issue so why should they care or bother to vote or participate in any manner? It is a rapidly spiraling downward trend in America that shows only signs of getting worse. The poor are under attack and there is no one, NO ONE standing up for them..What do they have to offer those Powerful Politicians anyway. Remember politicians have huge egos and are there to feather their own nest, not take care of you or me or anyone other than their benefactors.

[peace13]

9. How did they get there? A good question.

Our new Gov just shook hands with Diebold on a new business arrangement of some sort. Go figure. Funny though, the poor people are the majority in Ohio but as I said new voting rules, old voting rules and fear of intimidation at the poll keeps many away!

There are a few standing up for them. Pretty hard to top the haters at FOX though.

[joeglow3]

10. I wish it were that easy to explain away

Here in Nebraska, our voter laws are MUCH easier. We recently have people bussed from the homeless shelter and register, using the homeless shelter as an address. I would be interested in seeing comparisons between the percentage of eligible voters registered and voter turnout (as a percentage of total population).

[gratuitous]

3. But they all vote him back into office

It's like slaves on the plantation all chipping in to buy massa a new whip.

[BeyondGeography]

4. No matter, he'll cut the hell out of them

It's for their own good.

[SpiralHawk]

8. "Tough shit. They can pull themselves up by their own damn golf shoes." - The Boehner (R)