Quote:
Originally Posted by Coramoor
This caught my eye. There seems to be a floating definition of poverty.
Is someone going to be able to support the lifestyle they want off of minimum wage? Hardly.
Is someone going to be able to provide the five basics for human survival? Most definitely.
The sense of entitlement is astounding. The right to health care. The right to own a car. The right to have a TV.
Point out where this is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
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At current Federal levels ($5.85 an hour), the worker working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks will result in $12,168 per year. If you assume that housing costs should not exceed 28% of the yearly gross income (standard for assuming mortgage loans), then this person will need to find a house or apartment with mortgage or rent of $282.93 per month. After that expenditure, the person will be left with $653.07 for the month. Average utilities cost (basic heat, electric, water, trash) will run about another $200 per month, depending on what month it is). So then you're left with $453.07. Groceries for the month will easily run $50 per week for a single, a lot more if you have a family. My fam of 4 spends on average $150 per week (and that's making use of sales and coupons). So that would be another $200, leaving $250.
Now, come the decisions... do you live in an area that you can make use of transportation to get to work? If not, you'll need a car. But on that $250, you probably can't afford the insurance and gas (assuming you have a clunker, because then you'd also have a payment). You may have a good friend who could take you to work, but you'd still have to contribute to the gas money.
Or do you pay for health care? A basic, no frills, high deductible/co-pay plan will run about $50 bucks a month for a young, healthy person. But for a family, again, that will be more. Having basic care is not a "frill"... it will help prevent possible bankruptcy in the event of a major medical catastrophe.
I don't know about you, but this scenario is very troubling in a country that is so prosperous. ESPECIALLY if this scenario is happening to a family. It is QUITE obvious that Drolefille's assessment is correct, that families will most definitely be dependent on 2-3 jobs. Even in rural areas, I think rent will cost more than $280 per month. I used to live in a small town and even there, my rent for a meager 2 bedroom apartment was $325.
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