To the Point
Census Finds Almost Half the Country Poor or 'Near-Poor'
A new study finds that nearly half of all Americans are either poor or "low income." Meanwhile, consumers who were saving appear once again to be heaping on the debt.
By James Rainey • • 50m ListenA new study from the US Census Bureau suggests that nearly half of all Americans are either poor or "low income," a group some call the "near poor." Meanwhile, consumers who were saving at the beginning of the great recession, appear once again to be heaping on the debt. What's become of the middle class? Without government assistance, would the ranks of the poor be even larger? Also, last-minute campaigning in Iowa, and members of Congress keep getting richer, while their constituents lose ground. Jim Rainey guest hosts. (Thanks to KCRW volunteer Gideon Brower for special production assistance today.)
Banner image: People wait in line to receive free milk in New York City. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesLast-Minute Campaigning in Iowa
We're down to the final week of campaigning in Iowa . You can't turn on the television without seeing one of the Republican presidential hopefuls.
Read the story8 minWhat Does It Mean to Be Poor in America?
America's middle class is shrinking. The latest census classifies almost half of all Americans as either poor or "low income." As jobs disappear and government programs are cut back, more people are having trouble paying their bills and even buying food. As they lose ground, credit card debt is on the rise.
Read the story35 minCapitol Hill-Constituent Wealth Gap Widens
While many Americans scratch and claw to get ahead, members of Congress are doing just fine. A report in the Washington Post finds that members of the House and Senate have seen their net worth double over a quarter century, some growing considerably richer while in office, while the income of regular citizens has dipped.
Read the story8 min
