Poverty Rate Falls By 0.7%, But Is Still Far Too High

The following is from the Economic Policy Institute:

The American Community Survey (ACS) data released today shows that the decline in the national poverty rate was felt in nearly every state. The poverty rate decreased in 43 states and remained unchanged in three states. While there were slight increases in the poverty rate in four states and the District of Columbia, the only statistically significant increase occurred in Vermont. In only two states, Louisiana and Mississippi, was the poverty rate above 20 percent.

Overall, the national poverty rate, as measured by the ACS, fell 0.7 percentage points, to 14.0 percent. Oregon saw the largest decline in its poverty rate (-2.1 percentage points), followed by Arkansas (-1.9 percentage points), Alabama (-1.4 percentage points), Hawaii (-1.3 percentage points), Montana (-1.3 percentage points), and South Carolina (-1.3 percentage points). There were increases in poverty in Vermont (1.7 percentage points), the District of Columbia (1.3 percentage points), Louisiana (0.6 percentage point), Oklahoma (0.2 percentage point), and Wyoming (0.2 percentage point). In Kentucky, Maryland, and West Virginia the rate remained essentially unchanged between 2015 and 2016.

Income growth at the national level and an increase in the number of jobs pulling workers off the sidelines accounted for a drop in the poverty rate in many states. While the federal minimum wage sits at $7.25, many states and localities have increased their minimum wages, which helps lift workers out of poverty. At the same time, government programs including Social Security, refundable tax credits, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are directly responsible for keeping tens of millions out of povertyacross the country. A significant drop in the poverty rate for the second year in a row is a positive sign, but lawmakers should be careful to protect these recent gains with policies that raise wages for working families.

Republicans will probably celebrate the drop of the poverty rate in this country. But the drop was insignificant -- only 0.7% (less than a single percentage point). And 14% of Americans continue to live below the poverty rate (over 45 million people). Is that acceptable in the richest nation in the world? 

It seems to be acceptable for the Republicans. They are getting ready to give more money to the rich (through tax cuts) and pay for it by cutting the government programs that help those living below the poverty line. They will tell you that the poor will always be with us, and poverty can't be eliminated. That's just not true. It's just an excuse for their efforts to do nothing for the poor, while giving more to the rich.

Poverty is man-made, and if they had the generous spirit and political will, men could eliminate it -- giving all people a decent life. This will never happen as long as the Republicans control our government. They are too invested in trying to convince gullible Americans that giving more to the rich will help everyone (the failed "trickle-down" theory).

There is only one way to return this country to a sane and fair economic policy -- one that significantly lowers the percentage living in poverty -- and that is to vote the Republicans out of power in 2018 and 2020.