Survey: Poverty in state on rise (Maine)

[MaineDem]

An additional 10,000 Maine families with children fell below the poverty line last year, according to a new survey from the Census Bureau.

The 63 percent jump from 16,331 in 2001 to 26,564 last year dwarfed the nationwide increase of 6 percent. The American Community Survey, released Wednesday, also reported the number of impoverished single mothers in Maine with children under 18 increased 64.3 percent to 17,862. Nationally, the figure increased just 4 percent.

While experts agree the statistics could be indicative of an alarming trend, they caution against giving the information too much credence.

Lynn Davey, director of Kids Count for the Maine Children's Alliance, said the most shocking aspect is the number of children living in poverty.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/state/030905poverty.shtml

Yeah, sure, the economy is improving. You tell 'em, George!

[quispquake]

1. How sad...

Unfortunately, Maine is always the first to feel it when the economy tanks, and the last to pull out of it...that's a real sobering statistic...I moved back to Maine in 1999 because after the Reagan/Bush years, it took 7 years of Clinton before the economy was actually improving...And, I was super happy to find a good job...of course, another bush, another tanking economy...

I work as IT Manager for a retail chain up here...I've seen the attitude change from '99 from a friendly, family oriented place, to a cold corporate atmosphere where my boss actually told my assistant who needed some flexible hours to help out her child that work was more important, and that she should let her ex (drug addicted, on SSL, etc.) deal with the kid.

The freaking repukes love this...keep the economy harsh, make people be glad they're slaves, and don't give them any time to think about why their lives suck so bad...

Sorry for the rant...just beginning to feel a bit backed up against the wall lately...

pp23

[prolesunited]

2. You definitely have their MO nailed

"The freaking repukes love this...keep the economy harsh, make people be glad they're slaves, and don't give them any time to think about why their lives suck so bad..."

The fact that WalMart is now the largest U.S. employer speaks volumes.

Hope your situation improves soon.