There are a few statistics that you can look at to see actual human pain in the real economy. You can look at the recent stock market rally yet even a 50+ percent rally is unable to create jobs or stem the economic pain of those at the lower end of the economic spectrum. Looking at food stamp participation from the United States Department of Agriculture shows us a very disturbing picture. When we did a report on this in August of 2009 we had 34 million Americans on food stamps. In the span of one month, the number jumped by over a million.
The raw data shows us that a stunning 12 percent of our entire population is receiving some form of food stamp assistance. The program is now called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program but the theme is still the same. Let us look at some of the raw data:
This is the highest percentage of Americans receiving food stamps since records started being kept back in 1969. The average person receiving assistance now receives $133 per month but even a number this low with such a high number of participants is costing the government $56 billion on an annualized basis.
Here are the top 5 states:
-1. Texas - 3.068 million participants
-2. California - 2.99
-3. New York - 2.57
-4. Florida - 1.77
-5. Illinois - 1.71
What is telling with the data above is that Texas has 24 million people while California has 37 million yet Texas has more people receiving food stamps. Florida and Illinois have nearly the same amount of participants although Florida has 18 million people while Illinois has 13 million people.
LINK HERE
Food Stamps is one indicator. Run the figures on the number of people in government subsidized housing. These people pay 30% of their "adjusted" monthly income, not as rent, but as a rent "contribution". If some of them have no income, they pay nothing because 30% of nothing is nothing. We recertify their income at least annually. In addition, we pay them an energy (electric bill) allowance of $46.00 for a one bedroom apt and $65.00 for a two bedroom apartment. Not bad, huh? In the case of "no" income tenants, WE pay them the above amounts to live in our apartments, of course the money comes from Uncle Samual. In return for this, not all, but a great many of them totally trash out your property! Nice return on investment? Try out running a few HUD complexes or some Section 515's. Nice when the "HUD" voucher check comes in, too bad you didn't get the other 30% the tenant was suposed to pay. you eat that, and evict.
ReplyDeleteThe data that is coming in is just horrific. The food stamp program participation numbers are off the charts. But beneath that lies poverty. Do you know how many Americans have been pushed into poverty since the start of this recession? 2.6 MILLION! A million Americans have lost their homes. And they have the guts to call this a recovery? Are we 5 year olds? This is a cover-up.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to take up too much comment space so for anyone that's interested in the data, proceed to this: Arguing Over Semantics aka This Is Not a Recovery
Oh and by the way, there are now more PRIME ARM defaults then there are subprime defaults.
Whoops....I messed up the link in my comment. Anyway, here it is.
ReplyDeleteReally folks, how long before they can't fudge the numbers anymore? Does anyone ever ask themselves how long this circus can go on? I tell my family members keep some cash and extra food, water on hand, they look at me as if I just told them I was an axe murderer. I give up, I will worry about my wife and kids and that is it.
ReplyDeleteTwo words as to why we in TX have more food stamp recipients:"ILLEGAL ALIENS". For those of us who live in reality, we know there are 10 million + illegals in TX alone (estimated 3+ million in Houston alone, per the Houston Chronicle). We estimate around 50 million total in the US, not the lame corporate news figures of 20 million.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't believe me, come on down and check out Austin, Houston, Dallas & San Antonio. You will be surprised, you will think you are in a third world country. I was born in McAllen, on the border, you better be fluent in Spanish, should you visit my old home. No hablamos ingles.
6:56, I am with you. I have given up on most of my friends and family, or as I call them, "TV People". About 10% seem to get it, the rest are brain dead watching their TV and thinking what the TV tells them to think. They live in a totally different reality, and apparently are quite happy. Sooner or later, when it hits the fan, they are all going to be shocked. Of course, they are all programed to beg the Government for help, please take me to a FEMA camp!
ReplyDeleteTV = God. What the TV God says goes. Any comment contrary to the TV God is to be ridiculed.
ReplyDeleteWithout the TV God how could people live their lives in the hive mentality?
It is the will of Laundru.
6:56... yeah buddy. true dat.my circle of family and friends are 95% oblivious... they keep waiting for the tv to tell them how big bro is gonna save em from evil capitalism and cover all their healthcare... lot of good government health plan insurance will do them when theres food riots at the Kroger or Whole Foods..... lot of good the CZARS will do them when theyre in a line 500 people long to get 2 gallons of bottled water... and jobs?... hahahaha.... thats a joke......... all ican say is im gettin ready for some REAL change!
ReplyDeleteOn food stamp? Give me a break!
ReplyDeleteGo get a digital printer and print money, ok!