Here are some statistics...not sure I'm smart enough to break them down to discuss, but just throwing them out there in case anyone else has any thoughts.
Also at this site is the median income levels state by state which look not to have been updated since 2000 or so? Why? Could it be the formula they are using doesn't work any more?
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty.html http://www.census.gov/hhes/poverty/threshld/thresh03.ht ...
According to my calculation the minimum wage level in this country needs to be increased to at least 6.75 just for a family of four to break even after their monthly bills.
This based on two parents working and includes rent or mortgage, 2 car payments, utilities, groceries, clothes, etc.
With the Government allowed influx of Mexicans living two families per household (illegal but rampant, I see it first hand) father working landscaping and mother at burger king I think our Congressmen and women living in there luxury condo's could afford to buck it up a little instead of continuing to practice their hypocrisy voteing themselves their fat pay raises, pensions and health care plans. They owe this to our service industry.
God forbid these families experience a disaster. One paycheck away from being on the streets.