New poverty formula would double number of poor, elderly Americans

[steven johnson]

The calculation of inflation and poverty have been subjected to political manipulation for the past 20 years. Looks like there is going to be another political tweeking.

Nearly 20% of Americans over 65 would be considered poor if the government updates the way it calculates poverty, which hasn't considered medical costs, regional variations and other factors since its creation in 1955.

Currently, the poverty rate for that age group is 9.7%, or 3.6 million people. If the government adopts a revised formula by the National Academy of Sciences, that figure would jump to 18.6% — 6.8 million people, the Associated Press is reporting.

Using the new formula, the Census Bureau calculated that the overall official poverty rate would rise, to roughly 15.3% from 12.5%. That works out to about 45.7 million Americans.

Changing the formula would affect how billions of dollars in federal aid are directed and spent.


New poverty formula would double number of poor, elderly Americans

[Ken Burch]

1. It would double the number of people who are counted as poor, elderly Americans

Which is good, because we should always ask the government to commit truth.

It wouldn't literally MAKE anyone poorer.

We need to do the same with the unemployment rate, and actually count as unemployed EVERYONE WHO IS OUT OF WORK.

[Warpy]

2. Wait until most Boomers start to retire

With pensions robbed and 401K plans inadequate even before the crash and so many with no retirement plan at all after a lifetime of unstable employment at depressed wages, you're going to see a huge jump in old folks living on the edge of desperation.

I doubt Congress will care.

[Mz Pip]

3. watch the GOP use this against Obama

"The number of poor, elderly Americans doubled under the Obama administration." Watch people believe this actually was caused by Obama. :eyes:

[OHdem10]

4. I will be willing to bet you find the largest numbers of the poor living

in Red States with a history Republican Governance--
Conservative Economic Fundamentalism. Example: Texas

[cleverusername]

6. Texas demographics

Link? Stereotype off the top of your head? We're not all a bunch of knuckle-dragers down here.

Texas has a large Hispanic population. Most of the poverty in Texas exists in Hispanic communities along the Mexico border. See http://poverty.suite101.com/article.cfm/poverty_in_texas You can see from the map the impoverished areas are very isolated. Urban areas also have large black, Asian and Muslim communities (all groups with higher poverty rates). It's hard to compare Texas with a state without much diversity, like Ohio.

In all states, the largest group of poor people is elderly women. This is not surprising since women earn less and do more unpaid work. See same source above.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to put on my ten gallon hat and mosey on over to mount my horse and round up the cattle on the back forty. Just kidding. I live in the 6th largest city in the U.S.--Houston.

[DJ13]

5. ..... and yet

The government doesnt believe the elderly on Social Security need a cost of living adjustment for the next two years.

Our government is comprised of some really sick bastards.