Poverty has increased in the United States dramatically and it is affecting more and more people. According to Los Angeles Times “46.2 million people are currently living below the poverty line and are considered poor, the 2010 Census Bureau”. With the economy still at its worse, things don’t look like they are going to change for the better.
In order for someone or a family to not be considered poor, the government sets a minimum limit, which they have to make a minimum amount of money annually in order for them not be considered poor, which the census bureau refers to that as the poverty line. According to the Los Angeles Times “the Census Bureau’s latest measure, the poverty threshold last year was an income of $11,139 for one person and $22,314 for a family of four.”
This amount does not seem fair. Although someone or a family of four can live off that money in some other part of the United States, it can’t be possible in any of the boroughs of New York City. Prices of rent are sky rocketing through the roof, and rent alone would take away a good chunk of that amount of money away. Bills also need to be paid, which are not affordable. The unlucky ones that don’t work near their home have to spend more money to go to work. All little that’s left goes to food. In my opinion the census bureau has to reconsider measuring the poverty line because lifestyles and prices differ in different parts of the United States.
As we discussed this in class I found it hard to believe that people punch in some numbers and come up with a figure that they believe determines whether someone in impoverished or not. As you said, there is no way the Census Bureau believes that that one number resembles the whole country. That is ridiculous. The cost of living in different states varies tremendously. There are some costs that need to be incurred in some states that don’t in others. For example if you live in New York City more likely than not you won’t have a car, especially because you really don’t need it. But if you look at a place like Florida, you will not be able to be a functioning adult without a car. Just like in Florida rent is substantially lower than N.Y. There are many different factors that should determine whether someone is impoverished and needs help. In my experience with financial aid, I’ve learned that these numbers can be very limited. I feel like they do not consider many factors of individuals lives. There are different people with different situations that taxes don’t resemble. I think that the Census Bureau should invest more money into the calculation of these numbers. I know the government can’t help everyone. But these are people’s lives and the government is making this a numbers game. I also feel that for these reasons people that are in need resort to lying on their taxes to receive the help they NEED.