Wednesday, September 21, 2011

BUDDY, CAN YOU SPARE ME A JOB?

Bear was sniffing around and found some unhappy statistics about employment, unemployment, and poverty.
• About two-thirds of people in poverty are working full time.
• Over a third of poor families are headed by people in their 30s, or younger — a huge social shift from America's past.

If you want to know more, check the story on my Bears Noting blog. And check the comments, too; they are very insightful.

11 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

And there are more people living in poverty right here in the US then ever before. sandie

Frances said...

Before I get to this post's topic, let me send you lots and lots of belated birthday wishes! Now that you've also had your birthday, we are again the same age.

I say bravo to both of us!

As you know, I live in a place that is definitely a city with at least two tales. Plus we have continual influx of visitors from abroad who often seem to be bringing gold with them.

Sometimes when I walk around the city and see fabulous apartment buildings, luxurious townhouses, and luxurious shops, I wonder...just how many rich folks are around here. And then, I realize that some of these folks have several homes.

The United Nations is in session this week. (As I am sure you know.) This means that we New Yorkers have our usual goings and comings challenged by the superior goings and comings of diplomats. So many fancy vehicles with dark tinted windows. So many hefty security fellows with special lapel buttons and earphones waiting to escort their particular diplomat or diplomat spouse to the next destination.

It really does give us a sense of the global economy. These diplomats really do employ a lot of folks! And their shopping and restauranting really does add to our economy. And our police officers definitely accrue some overtime pay.

Let me now politely put away my soapbox.

xo

Rob-bear said...

® Chatty Crone: The number of Americans living in poverty is a major problem. The rich can manipulate the political system, the poor cannot. Which means the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.

® Frances: Thanks for the birthday greetings. Bravo to both of us. Indeed.
And you have aptly portrayed the life of the well-to-do. It signifies the yawning chasm between those who "have," and those who do not have. I worry about Americans, and Canadians, sinking lower and lower, economically. To the point where they share many things in common with the poor in Third World countries.
Thanks.

Suburbia said...

Gosh Bear, scary facts, thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Here too I reckon. It's all getting a bit depressing.

Your comment about the poor having no voice seems unchangeable world wide. What to do Bear, what to do?

Rob-bear said...

® Suburbia: I wouldn't be surprised, given Mr. Cameron's government, if things were getting worse on the east side the pond.
What to do? Work together for change. Easier said than done, but possible.

Rosaria Williams said...

Ah, I can always depend on you knowing these things.

That Janie Girl said...

Well, heck. Good to know.

About Last Weekend said...

Interesting as the wealthier have older parents. Yes, incredible sad how people can have full-time jobs and still be in mired in poverty.

Rob-bear said...

® rosaria: Thanks. I appreciate the compliment, and the trust.

® That Janie Girl: Thanks. I guess its good to know. But what to do?

® About Last Weekend: Good points. Then there are those of modest income who travel half way across North America to help care for aging parents.
Thanks, Jody.

ain't for city gals said...

As bad as it is I fear it is going to get much worse. However, I do feel most people still don't appreciate what they do have...most of us are still so spoiled...we don't know what hard times really hard.

Rob-bear said...

® afcg: I agree Sheryl; things could get much worse. But since America has blown all its money helping the banks, there won't be anything left to help those who are not bankers (or otherwise rich).
The story making the rounds is that if a Republican become President, Canada will put up a tall wired fence, in order to keep back the flood of Americans who will try to get into Canada.
Sad! Not true, but sad!
Hope your dad is doing OK.