According to Republicans, Poor is the new Wealthy! They might be correct though.

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The Heritage Foundation determined to knock down stereotypes have put out a study that is astronomically astounding.


The Poor have ONE television !


It is starting to look like a different country in some social circle, now isn't it?  I mean apartments usually come with some amenities or at least the plugs for them.  Dishwasters and refigerators at the very least.  Usually cable hook ups.  Cable is all anyone can get now.  No antennas remember?

Abstract: For decades, (click title to entry - thank you) the U.S. Census Bureau has reported that over 30 million Americans were living in “poverty,” but the bureau’s definition of poverty differs widely from that held by most Americans. In fact, other government surveys show that most of the persons whom the government defines as “in poverty” are not poor in any ordinary sense of the term. The overwhelming majority of the poor have air conditioning, cable TV, and a host of other modern amenities. They are well housed, have an adequate and reasonably steady supply of food, and have met their other basic needs, including medical care. Some poor Americans do experience significant hardships, including temporary food shortages or inadequate housing, but these individuals are a minority within the overall poverty population. Poverty remains an issue of serious social concern, but accurate information about that problem is essential in crafting wise public policy. Exaggeration and misinformation about poverty obscure the nature, extent, and causes of real material deprivation, thereby hampering the development of well-targeted, effective programs to reduce the problem.


Additionally, since the 2008 Global Economic Collapse and the implosion of the housing market formerly known as the Housing Bubble, the American Dream is more a distant reality for more Americans.

American dream on life support as U.S. moves to 'rentership society'  (click here)

Homeownership rate now below 60%; opportunity for real estate investors?

July 21, 2011 9:19 am ET

The U.S. homeownership rate has fallen below 60 percent when delinquent borrowers are excluded, a sign of the country's move toward a “rentership society,” Morgan Stanley said in a report today.

...The homeownership rate reached an all-time high of 69.2 percent in 2004 as relaxed lending standards fueled home sales and President George W. Bush promoted an “ownership society.” Mortgage delinquencies, foreclosures and tighter credit for housing loans are reducing property buying, Chang said....

I was recently visiting an Aunt and Uncle in Dearborn, Michigan.  They are in good health.  They live is a modest dwelling where they raised their six children.  All are working and successful and have families.  They are retired by many, many years.  A neighbor stopped over the house why I was there.  

A gentleman that works as a prison guard and he was nearly in tears.  He stated, he heard from his employer there would be furlow days for him.  He then went to the bank to find out his options with his investment to date in his family's home.  He was looking for a second job, but, wasn't having luck.  He found out from his bank that the value on his home was more than his mortgage and there were no options open to him other than to continue to make his payments.  

This neighbor stops in to check on my Aunt and Uncle dearly every other day, so they have an on going relationship.  This gentleman has a wife and two school aged children.  He loves him home and his neighborhood.  He was completely devastated by the news.  When are draconian cuts in state budgets going to stop and stop terrorizing our citizens.