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DNC Strategy
- Low Income -

100 YEARS AGO Poverty 100 years ago in the United States bore no resemblance to poverty today. 100 years ago the poor lived in abject poverty. Food that could be afforded was scarce, low quality, and low in nutrition. No clean water, no electricity, wood stoves, candles or kerosene lamp for light. There were no Safety Nets - Social Security, Medicare, War on Poverty, disaster recovery. Those in need depended on their friends, family and churches - who provided amazing generous support.

POVERTY TODAY The International Poverty Line (IPL) is $1.90 per day [1]; the United States Poverty Threshold is $36.08 per day ($13,171 per year for a single person household [2]), 19 times the IPL. Most people below the United States Poverty Threshold have good food, good housing, clean water, electricity, a refrigerator, stove, microwave, washer, dryer, flat screen TV with cable or satellite access, cell phone, personal computer, a car or truck, and air conditioning [8], [9]. Today's subsidized housing can be quite nice - modern, well constructed, landscaped, have amenities like a spa, pool and club house, and nicely appointed inside.

THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRET

The poverty level in the United States is reported to be 11.4% ^[3]. In reality, the poverty level is nearer 3% and consists primarily of mentally ill, alcohol and drug addicted, incarcerated persons who already receive free housing, food and medical care, and elderly people who have Medicare coverage and whose housing expenses are mostly lower due to being paid-off. The vast majority of people in "poverty" have not only been lifted out of poverty by overlapping and bloated Welfare programs, but have been lifted to or above the Median household income of $67,521 ^[3]. Here's how:

• In 2020 the Federal Government spent $847 Billion dollars and State and Local Governments spent $288 Billion dollars on programs targeting low income people, for a total of $1,135 Billion ^[5].
• In 2020 there were 37.2 Million people below the poverty threshold ^[3].
• This totals to expenditures of $30,511 mostly tax-free per person below the official Poverty Threshold.
• That totals $90,939 for a family of four even though the Poverty Threshold for such a family is $26,496. Thus, spending for these families has even exceeded the median household income of $67,521 in 2020
• In addition, dozens of private Charitable organizations provide another $138 Billion of charitable support for various causes ^[6].

This is not the fault of persons whose incomes fall below the Poverty Threshold. This is the result of Liberal Left Democrats who push the false narrative of income inequality, Racism, and any other inflammatory message that will help them buy votes from constituents that don't check the real facts about Poverty in America.

TAINTED REPORTING

The Liberal Left-tainted Government agencies report what they want you to see, not the facts. In the case of Low Income individuals and households, the reporting shows only what the individuals and households contribute to their own income. Their actual income includes their contributions PLUS all the tax-free Welfare, Food Stamps, Child Support, Subsidies, etc. - which significantly exceeds their own contributions ^[8]. That's why poverty today is nothing like it was 100 years ago. In fact, by most standards, it can be pretty comfortable, although certainly not extravagant. Not bad if you can achieve all those things without really having to apply yourself.

The final observation about this and other Government programs is that they are horribly inefficient and suffer from significant fraud ^[7]. This reduces the benefits actually received by those who need them.

Don't Take The Bait

LOW INCOME? - CHECK THIS

Under Democrat control in the 12-months ending June 2022 prices increased 9.1% including 33.1% for eggs, 16.4% for milk, 60.2% for gasoline, 98.5% for fuel oil and 38.4% for piped gas heating fuel. These increases marked a 40-year high ^[10]. Since the Biden administration took office prices have increased 14.9% ^[12]. In 18 short months items you purchased in January 2020 for $100 have now escalated to cost $115. If you are on fixed income your outlook is especially dim as year-over-year inflation will just compound the problem.

RECESSION - despite Biden administration denials, the economy entered recession in June 2022, as confirmed by economists and business leaders. The first thing Democrats did after confirmation of the recession was to approve another massive tax-and-spend bill that economists agree will make inflation worse.

Democrat policies disproportionately harm low income people because they hit staple items needed by everyone for basic survival (food, rent and transportation) the hardest. Democrat policies support illegal immigration (costing Billions and driving wages down), penalize businesses (especially energy and transportation industries), and squander Billions on wasteful big Government spending programs.

Staggering Illegal immigration also drove up housing and rent prices, especially lower cost housing. In 2021 rents increased 15.2% and home purchase costs increased 18.8%, again breaking decades-long records ^[11].

Under Republican control unemployment fell to historic lows, millions were lifted off of welfare, and low income wages rose faster than high income wages.

If your income is low, you should carefully consider who should get your vote. Democrat policies are dragging you down; Republican policies will lift you up.

Next Time, Don't Take The Bait

Hold your political representatives accountable to help those who are in need, but at the same time incentivize people to work and to remain in family units that support and nurture vulnerable children.

There is no substitute for the dignity and pride of earning a living as a contributing member of society.

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