Hurricane Katrina and Poverty in America

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Any doubts about poverty in America have been erased by the plight of New Orleans, where 30% lived below the official poverty line. Two-thirds of New Orleans' residents are African Americans, and news reports made clear that they were the most desperate victims of Hurricane Katrina. But in the 30 years since President Johnson's "War on Poverty," the number of officially poor people in the US has risen to 37 million, a number comparable to the population of California. Have massive government programs instituted by Democrats failed to deliver or have they been eviscerated by Republican cuts in taxes and spending? What does race have to do with it? We ask journalists, civil rights advocates, religious leaders and a Senator who's introduced the first-ever Republican initiative to fight poverty. Making News: President Bush Visits the Gulf Coast Again Two weeks after Katrina, President Bush made his third trip to the area today, his first on the ground. After a briefing on the USS Iwo Jima, he spoke to reporters, saying that it for the people of New Orleans and Louisiana to provide the "vision" for their communities and that the federal government would help rebuild. James Varney, staff writer for the New Orleans Times Picayune, is traveling with the President. Reporter's Notebook: Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee John Roberts Faces the Senate Starting out at the age of 50, Judge John Roberts could have a major impact on the US Supreme Court, if he's confirmed by the Senate. Today, the Judiciary Committee began hearings. Julian Zelizer, Professor of History at Boston University and author of On Capitol Hill: The Struggle to Reform Congress and its Consequences, 1948-2000, offers a preview of the political process ahead.
Any doubts about poverty in America have been erased by the plight of New Orleans, where 30% lived below the official poverty line. Two-thirds of New Orleans' residents are African Americans, and news reports made clear that they were the most desperate victims of Hurricane Katrina. But in the 30 years since President Johnson's "War on Poverty," the number of officially poor people in the US has risen to 37 million, a number comparable to the population of California. Have massive government programs instituted by Democrats failed to deliver or have they been eviscerated by Republican cuts in taxes and spending? What does race have to do with it? We ask journalists, civil rights advocates, religious leaders and a Senator who's introduced the first-ever Republican initiative to fight poverty.
  • Making News: President Bush Visits the Gulf Coast Again
    Two weeks after Katrina, President Bush made his third trip to the area today, his first on the ground. After a briefing on the USS Iwo Jima, he spoke to reporters, saying that it for the people of New Orleans and Louisiana to provide the "vision" for their communities and that the federal government would help rebuild. James Varney, staff writer for the New Orleans Times Picayune, is traveling with the President.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee John Roberts Faces the Senate
    Starting out at the age of 50, Judge John Roberts could have a major impact on the US Supreme Court, if he's confirmed by the Senate. Today, the Judiciary Committee began hearings. Julian Zelizer, Professor of History at Boston University and author of On Capitol Hill: The Struggle to Reform Congress and its Consequences, 1948-2000, offers a preview of the political process ahead.

President Bush discusses hurricane relief in Louisiana

War on Poverty, NPR feature on

Food Stamps, USDA Program on

Medicaid

American Job Creation Act of 2005

Rick Santorum's It Takes a Family

US Census Bureau findings on poverty

Associated Press on resignation of FEMA director Mike Brown

President Bush nominates John Roberts as Supreme Court Chief Justice

Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on John Roberts

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Host:

Warren Olney