A Census Spotlight on Poverty in America

As 44 million Americans live in poverty, a crisis grows - September 28, 2010

In an editorial in the Washington Post on September 28th, titled "As 44 million Americans live in poverty, a crisis grows," Opinion writer Katrina vanden Heuvel writes about the poverty crisis in America. She claims that “[Americans] know what needs to be done to reduce poverty," adding "...[but] who will fight that fight?” (Vanden Heuvel).

Vanden Heuvel points out some interesting and upsetting facts about poverty statistics in America. According to a report released by the Census Bureau on September 16th, 14% of Americans are living in poverty by it’s legal definition. The rates prove to be higher for Latino and African American families. Vanden Heuvel cites Law Professor G. Edelman of Georgetown University. Edelman takes the stats a step further by subdividing them into “poverty” and “extreme-poverty.” The latter is defined at income of $11,000 annually for a family of four, rather than $22,000 as with the former. Edelman states that “43% of the poor (slightly over 100 million people) are extremely poor.”

The author of this editorial identifies the structure of the economy as the culprit, not the people. Half in Ten is a coalition working to cut poverty by half in 10 years. They suggest progressive solutions to the crisis such as renewing the TANF Emergency Fund, which expires on 9/30/10, as well as making Obama’s Recovery Act reforms permanent. Those reforms offered child tax credits and earned-income tax credits following the “Great Recession” (Vanden Heuvel).

This article is aimed at its large left-leaning audience who recognize progressive political action as the best source for resolution. Vanden Heuvel presents Congressional solutions such as terminating the Bush tax cuts for those making over $250,000 per year; Professor Edelman says that that same missing revenue could be going toward aiding those in need. Edelman also advocates making it easier for people to join labor unions. The Employee Free Choice Act is a legislative bill that is currently being considered by Congress that would potentially give unions the authority to bargain with employers and increase penalties for employers that discriminate based on union involvement. I think that would have more of an immediate effect in the Northern states, but it may increase union involvement in the South, as well.

Vanden Heuvel is an established Opinion Writer for the Washington Post. She has covered topics such as job creation, labor unions, economic stability, and the Afghanistan War. I agree with the possible solutions to poverty in America as presented in this editorial. I believe the government can and should be doing more to help the poor during a crisis that the people have no control over and did not cause.