American Poverty

i was asked, "how is poverty taking the back burner?"

here is a little clarification:

* The number of Americans living in poverty rose from 35.9 million in 2003 to 37 million in 2004, an increase of 1.1 million Americans.

* 12.7 percent of Americans are living in poverty today. This figure includes 7.9 million families, an increase from 7.6 million families in 2003.

* Both the number of Americans living in poverty and the official poverty rate have risen for four straight years, from 2000 to 2004.

* 2004 marked the second consecutive year in which real median household income showed no change.

* Today, 13 million children under the age of 18 are living in poverty. That's 17.6 percent of all children in America.

* 24.7 percent of African Americans are living in poverty, making the poverty rate among African Americans nearly twice the national rate.

* 21.9 percent of Hispanics live in poverty.

* 24.3 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives live in poverty.