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America: Land of the Poor
Americans are being willfully impoverished by their government sworn to represent them responsibly.
by Stephen Lendman
Years ago, who could have imagined the appalling growing poverty level in the world's richest country?
Various reports confirm it, including a new one by the University of Michigan's National Poverty Center (NPC), titled "Extreme Poverty in the United States, 1996 to 2011".
NPC promotes multidisciplinary research on poverty and policy. It mentors and trains poverty researchers. It analyzes causes and consequences, and addresses pressing policy questions at both federal and state levels.
How is poverty calculated, it asked? The Census Bureau issues annual thresholds. They represent minimal income levels required to support various family sizes.
Its methodology dates from the mid-1960s and hasn't changed. Inflation's taken into account annually. Families are judged poor based on pretax income. Non-cash benefits aren't counted, such as Medicaid and food stamps.
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