Poverty is down

Thanks, Obama.

I just felt like saying that. It wasn’t really Pres. Obama, but was Pres. Biden and certain members of the U.S. Congress who beefed up the country’s safety net at a time when the country most needed it.

A U.S. Census report released this week said that 9.1% of Americans were living in poverty during 2020, our pandemic meltdown year, compared to 11.8% in 2019. Last year’s figure is the lowest poverty rate since 1967, according to the New York Times. The lower figure accounts for the effect government programs have on family wealth. Figures that don’t take into account government programs puts the poverty rate at 11.4%.

What does this mean for you, the American voter?

Government programs meant to alleviate or eliminate poverty can work. They can lift people out of poverty, and set families on the path to financial solvency. Vote accordingly.