There is an enormous differences of wealth and income distribution in the USA and it places out in Republican States.

November 3, 2017

K. Araujo

On Oct. 23, 12 Oakland County, Mich., (click here) communities spent roughly nine days without water after a major water main break. Almost 305,000 people were affected by the break.

Oakland County and the Great Lakes Water Authority worked nearly around the clock to ensure that the residents in those communities had safe, potable water. Water stations in various communities were set up. Businesses and residences alike were given access to the scarce commodity.

They even provided water to flush toilets. Let me repeat that: They were given water to flush their toilets. Of course, people had to bring their own containers, but at least people had access to clean, safe water for plumbing and drinking. All of these efforts are impressive, right? This is a fantastic example of how government officials should respond when a water crisis occurs.

It directly affected my mother, and as a native Detroiter and former resident of Oakland County, I should’ve been ecstatic to hear how well this situation was handled. So what’s the issue, you ask?

Residents in the Genesee County city of Flint, Mich., have been without potable, usable water since 2014. Government officials—locally and statewide—blatantly lied about the water supply being safe for human consumption. Fertilizers, pesticides, built-up bacteria and lead have contaminated the Flint River (the city’s primary source) for decades. Their half-assed attempt to “clean up the water” never ensured that the city’s folks would remain healthy.

It’s been three whole years, and citizens still can’t drink the water. Water stations were set up (some years later), and as of this past summer, many of the stations were closed following Flint’s lead levels being under the federal limit. Why is there such a disparity between Oakland County and Genesee County in their response to each crisis?

Race and class....

September 19, 2017

By Julia Mack

Flint has the nation's highest poverty rate (click here) among U.S. cities with at least 65,000 residents, according to 2016 data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Detroit was No. 4 on the list, after Bloomington, Ind., and Reading, Pa.

The Census released its estimate of 2016 poverty rates last week for 599 municipalities with a population of at least 65,000....

Oakland County, Michigan has the four highest income cities in the state:

1. West Bloomfield Township (Oakland County): $101,573 (click here)

Population: 65,210
Median household income: $101,573
Median family income: $117,616
Poverty rate: 7%
Poverty for children: 10%
% adults with bachelor's degree: 60%
% population non-Hispanic white: 75%

2. Troy (Oakland County): $95,975

Population: 83,392
Median household income: $95,975
Median family income: $116,513
Poverty rate: 4%
Poverty for children: 5%
% adults with bachelor's degree: 58%
% population non-Hispanic white: 78%

5. Rochester Hills (Oakland County): $81,195

Population: 72,263
Median household income: $81,195
Median family income: $100,647
Poverty rate: 6%
Poverty for children: 6%
% adults with bachelor's degree: 57%
% population non-Hispanic white: 69%

8. Farmington Hills (Oakland County): $71,100

Population: 80,817
Median household income: $71,100
Median family income: $101,525
Poverty rate: 9%
Poverty for children: 14%
% adults with bachelor's degree: 53%
% population non-Hispanic white: 66%

Poorest Cities in the USA. I might add all these cities have Republican Governors.

1. Flint, Michigan

2. Bloomington, Indiana

3. Reading, Pennsylvania

4. Detroit, Michigan

Flint households never receive an annual income higher than $36,689 according to the US Census.

          

Household Income and Average Income in Flint

Median Income Under 25	$16,102
Median Income 25-44	$27,941
Median Income 45-64	$36,689
Median Income Over 65	$35,376