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-   -   ALICE to replace Government's poverty rate? (http://www.politicalchat.org/showthread.php?t=8573)

Dondilion 01-13-2015 03:36 PM

ALICE to replace Government's poverty rate?
 
Claiming that the Federal Government's measure of poverty rate is woefully
out dated, new voices are promoting ALICE.

http://america.aljazeera.com/opinion...unitedway.html

BlueStreak 01-13-2015 04:04 PM

In 2010, we had someone write in a comment to the local Virginia Beach newspaper that the "onerous tax burden" of the ACA was going to be "devastating" to his family........"........because it is already nearly impossible to raise three kids on an (annual) income of $250k, these days.".

America is a nation of victims. Everyone is now a victim, even the most affluent among us. It is completely absurd and I am afraid we will never snap out of it.

Dave

Zeke 01-13-2015 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueStreak (Post 255896)
In 2010, we had someone write in a comment to the local Virginia Beach newspaper that the "onerous tax burden" of the ACA was going to be "devastating" to his family........"........because it is already nearly impossible to raise three kids on an (annual) income of $250k, these days.".

America is a nation of victims. Everyone is now a victim, even the most affluent among us. It is completely absurd and I am afraid we will never snap out of it.

Dave

On an annual income of $250K, I could burn twenties for heat and still be rich.

We are an odd nation... :D

d-ray657 01-13-2015 04:27 PM

At $250K one can barely afford one manservant.

Regards,

D-Ray

donquixote99 01-13-2015 04:35 PM

The guy with 250K income sure sounds nutty, but I remind you all that he's not in the OP. So let's not just dismiss it based on one killer anecdote. The problem with technical standards for poverty is real. The current 'poverty rate,' from the story, seems to be based on '3 times a subsistence food basket cost.' That may or may not be improved upon by the 'asset-limited, income-constrained employed (ALICE) formulation, the question is wonkish.

But the real problem is too many earn too low wages, the middle class is hollowing out. If this initiative puts some focus on this, in a way that results in helpful change, it will be a good thing.

Tom Joad 01-13-2015 06:03 PM

Quote:

“asset limited, income constrained, employed.”
:rolleyes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h67k9eEw9AY

donquixote99 01-13-2015 06:50 PM

Yes. I know. Technocrat-speak.

But people in that world need to be on our side. This may actually be progress. Look at David Kay Johnson's credits at the end of the article. If he thinks this is gonna help, I'm willing to allow that it might.

VanishingPoi 02-06-2015 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueStreak (Post 255896)
In 2010, we had someone write in a comment to the local Virginia Beach newspaper that the "onerous tax burden" of the ACA was going to be "devastating" to his family........"........because it is already nearly impossible to raise three kids on an (annual) income of $250k, these days.".

America is a nation of victims. Everyone is now a victim, even the most affluent among us. It is completely absurd and I am afraid we will never snap out of it.

Dave

$250,000 ain't nothing when you have three children you want to put through college. I think of how much I make now and it blows my mind that I am still struggling.

Zeke 02-07-2015 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanishingPoi (Post 259095)
$250,000 ain't nothing when you have three children you want to put through college. I think of how much I make now and it blows my mind that I am still struggling.

Isn't the obvious answer less kids? :confused:

Boreas 02-07-2015 01:19 PM

The cost of college tuition these days is nothing short of criminal. Just for kicks, I looked up the tuition for the two colleges I attended, Georgetown and the University of Maryland.

When I attended Georgetown, the per semester tuition plus board and expenses was between $2,000 and $3,000. Here's what it costs now.

http://finaid.georgetown.edu/cost-of.../undergraduate

At Maryland, where I was a commuter, it cost about $500 per semester. Current costs are below.

http://www.admissions.umd.edu/costs/

Granted, this increase is for a period of around 50 years but I still find it mind-boggling.

And Kipplinger rates Maryland as the 7th best "bargain" in state schools.

John


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