Squeezed by rising living costs, a record number of Americans — nearly 1 in 2 — have fallen into poverty or are scraping by on earnings that classify them as low income.
The latest census data depict a middle class that’s shrinking as unemployment stays high and the government’s safety net frays. The new numbers follow years of stagnating wages for the middle class that have hurt millions of workers and families.
“Safety net programs such as food stamps and tax credits kept poverty from rising even higher in 2010, but for many low-income families with work-related and medical expenses, they are considered too ‘rich’ to qualify,” said Sheldon Danziger, a University of Michigan public policy professor who specializes in poverty.
AND THEY CALLING US THIRD WORLD
Dominica will suffer the same fate if Dominicans keep trying to imitate the American lifestyle and eating as much poisoned fast food as I see being advertised here on DNO. Wake up Dominica…you are living in Paradise…..Eat your fig, dasheen, mango and coconuts, go out take a walk to prevent obesity, stay away from wigs, weaves, nail salons and Cable TV. Visit your neigbours as often as you can and stop wishing you could have what folks in America would love to give up for what you have.
Lol, because you own an iphone doesn’t make you rich. Depending on the plan or the length of time you’ve been with a company, they will give you a phone free or for $99-199.
A car can be paid off or a cash car. Car payments are not as high as you may think with good credit. Some people get 0%APR over 5yrs. With good credit you might pay $600-700 per month on a $45k car. Someone making $40k+ a year takes home about $750 per wk after tax.
You can’t compare the Dominican market to the US market. The job market in the US sucks
Where you get that kind of information. obviously you need a little wake up call. 750.00 a week? what is wrong with you. now someone that puts $600.00 down a month for car payments, does not have other priorities. please, please, please, if you have nothing to say, please don’t say it. It is comments that put ridiculous ideas in Dominicans head
Although I sympathize with the people who have “legitimately” been affect by the economic strife, I do not totally agree with the findings. Some of the very same people crying that they don’t have are the very ones walking around with $400 iphones and all the other trappings of conspicuous consumption.
They don’t want to give up anything. When you hit a rough patch in life, you have to cut a few things out. A have a friend who is making $40k, and he is driving a $44k car. If you are going to hang your hat where you hand can’t reach, crapaud fermer pip ou, frere.
Actually when you folks with iphone it doesn’t mean that hey buy it full price. So don’t make an argument based solely on seeing peole walking around with iphone. Off topic but I think many people should have iphones. Its a handy piece of technology and could even help with staying on top of the employment search.
But your correct!
But what a nesss I hearing ther american tourist is america den hummm all u so sick all u doh seeing what all u america want rich and poor one or d other an to u that tink d poor in all u america is rich in third world I wonder whice third world u talking must be But what a nesss I hearing there american tourist is america den hummm all u so sick all u doh seeing what all u america want rich and poor one or d other an to u that tink d poor in all u america is rich in third world I wonder whice third world u talking must be New orleans u talking about and d slums in detroit.d last time I check sweet da had no slums hummmmmm interesting heeee isn’t it
what language is this? go back to grade 1 and come back
excuse me gutter and tarish the last time i was there are slums. It had a slum by ministry when I was growing up and some parts of kings hill are slums. DA have slums just like eveyr other country! Difference people in DA slums are self sufficient whilst dem folks in the US have a ll the resources but chose to lazy and useless!
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO US…
THE AMERICANS HAVE OVER 750 ARMY BASES ALL AROUND THE WORLD.EVEN IN HAITI BECAUSE HAITI HAS OIL AND IS ALSO VERY CLOSE TO VENEZUELA WHICH IS ALSO INTERESTING AMERICA ;BUT WITH PRESIDENT CHAVEZ WHO IS CAPABLE OF STANDING BEFORE THEM ,THEY CANNOT PUT ANY ARMY BASE IN VENEZUELA FOR THE OIL.
HAVE YOU ANY IDEA HOW MUCH IT COST TO SUPPORT ALL THESE SOLDIERS IN FOOD,HEALTH,WEAPONS AND MORE?
INSTEAD OF SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY PUTTING SO MANY ARMY CAMPS ALL OVER THE WORLD ,WHY NOT
CONCENTRATE ON THE WEALTH BEING ON THE PEOPLE ?
Absolutely correct! Because they want to have everything! Funny thing is poor people children alone that in military. A handful is kids of wealth. While all those pompous jerks sit down in Washington DC sending kids to their deaths their kids go georgetown harvard etc and then work on wall street taking money from the poor and in many cases ensuring that the poor stays poor. Selfish, self centered and hating folks!
thats jusy the bgingning,amerikkka has already fallen and worst is yet to come.i live in a amerikkkan state and its a mess with jobs,if you dont work u cant make money,u cant pay bills.and u will be on the streets,i miss home.a lot of dominicans dont know about the true amerikkkan life,trust me its not sweet ,its more the order way around. am jelous of my dominicans in da right now…one love
Then move back to dominica.
It’s tight every where. The little money that we get here is spent wisely compared to how Americans spend theirs lavisly which tightens a noose of poverty around their necks.
When you hear about the poor in America. Many of them have their car even cars,flat screen TV,computer/laptop,don’t talk about their ipod and iPad.They are not starving for lack of food.
Yes the economy is not what we would like it to be.But I also think government is making it worse.You have a lot of people who can work but refuse to.Then government stepped in and giving them almost everything for years.
The question is, Why buy a cow when you can get free milk?.
Very true statement.
IF AMERICA GET SO POOR THEN WE SHOULD GO TO VENEZUELA AND CHINA FOR TOURISTS TO FILL OUR HOTEL ROOMS AND TO COME ON THE CRUISE SHIPS… I HOPE WHEN AMERICA COME REALLY POOR DOMINICA WILL GET ALL ITS CHRISTMAS BARRELS FOR VENEZUELA AND CHINA…
ohh shut the hell up…..allu doh like America but allu luv the American biscuit!…
Tell them again…come see them at the port collecting barrels from America…christmas coming so everybody in America sending barrels but they never asking how they afford to put all what they see in the barrels
@wizzzz….We all love America and we love Dominica.
The poor in america look like the rich in third world countries.
The truth shall offend. You are 100% correct. Most Americans who claim poverty may own an old car, and afford to wear shoes,and does not poopoo outside.
where you got that from? Say some third world countries because Dominica does not have poor people. There are poor people in America
America is a relialiant country. They have seen worse before. I am sure they will come back. These things work in cycles.
Resilient
and the barrels still keep coming in…. our caribbean peeps are hard workers.. i think this shows more on actual born americans… the situation is sad indeed… how it don’t have work and mexicans working nah….
So MOTS what about all the young D/a ladies running America and make baby because “I want a better future for my child” Stupes! If they see the state of black people who were born in US, they will be happy to make their baby in Princess Margaret Hospital.
speak truth….. everything about america is not as seen on tv
What is the intention of highlighting this story may I ask?
Yah that is what there well loved AMERICA want no middle class just the rich and the poor good for all dem AMERICA lovers