Waiting for the great leap forward

The news is in on poverty from the 2010 census, and the results are not pretty.  More Americans--46 million--now live in poverty than in the 52 years the census has been tracking the poverty level.  That is 15.1% of the people who live in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world.  The next time you're taking a walk, count ten people that you pass--of those 10 people, 1.5 live in poverty (defined, by the way, as $22,000 a year for a family of four--what the fuck?  I'd love to see the family of four who basks in riches at $23,000 per year).  Even sadder, 22% of American children live in poverty.  For all the republicans chatter, God only knows how much worse it would have been were it not for the social safety net previous (and more compassionate) generations passed.

Our median income fell 2.3%--seems those of us bemoaning the shrinking middle class had good reason to do so.  The minimum wage is woefully inadequate--it isn't even keeping up with the minimum wage of the fifties.  Almost fifty million Americans are without healthcare.  If you're a republican, that is apparently reason to cheer. 

And here, here is what is wrong with America today, what will be her ruin:  no one--and I realize Obama's jobs bill will help part of this, but it is not the bill's objective--on the Presidential campaign trail is talking about the level of poverty in America, no one is asking for a war on poverty, no one wants to eradicate it, or lessen it, or make it a centerpiece of their plan for America.  A country that cares so little for its poor will either face their wrath, or the wrath of the greater good.

Swear to God, had Jesus not already exited his tomb, he'd be rolling over in it now.

Peace,
emaycee