Oh, da horror! Dem rotten 'publicans been at it again no doubt.
(I just did a bit of a smash and grab on this one earlier so have no idea how much more development this screed has had. I couldn't help take a bit of a chuckle up the sleeve when I first ran across it.)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142061295 DonViejo (43,109 posts)
Almost half of US families can't afford basics like rent and food
Source: CNN-Money
by Tami Luhby @Luhby
May 17, 2018: 10:44 AM ET
The economy may be chugging along, but many Americans are still struggling to afford a basic middle class life.
Nearly 51 million households don't earn enough to afford a monthly budget that includes housing, food, child care, health care, transportation and a cell phone, according to a study released Thursday by the United Way ALICE Project. That's 43% of households in the United States.
The figure includes the 16.1 million households living in poverty, as well as the 34.7 million families that the United Way has dubbed ALICE -- Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. This group makes less than what's needed "to survive in the modern economy."
"Despite seemingly positive economic signs, the ALICE data shows that financial hardship is still a pervasive problem," said Stephanie Hoopes, the project's director.
California, New Mexico and Hawaii have the largest share of struggling families, at 49% each. North Dakota has the lowest at 32%.
o
Read more: http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/17/news/economy/us-middle-class-basics-study/index.html
I suspect Don Ho is a commie troll but shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Don't let the DU folk skins know.
Great hilarity ensues as DU folk skins post their real life vignettes. Good Times, I tell ya JJ, Good Times.
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
Thu May 17, 2018, 12:00 PM
dalton99a (20,981 posts)
1. They're teetering on the cliff while the oligarchs enjoy their windfall
Thu May 17, 2018, 12:14 PM
Le Gaucher (951 posts)
9. in NJ .. you need to make 100k for a family of 4 for you to have a half decent life
and have a slight shot at saving for a rainy day
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
Thu May 17, 2018, 12:26 PM
logosoco (2,910 posts)
10. This is especially sad because I just made a trip to the grocery store this morning.
The first one with the grandsons being home from school for the next couple of months. Many prices were much higher than the last time I went. No good deals in the produce section (hopefully it is too early, but from what I am reading I don't expect many in the future).
And I think we are doing better than many families (but we are not a fancy people!). So if we are feeling the pinch, I can only imagine how it is for those already hurting.
Well ya gotta pinch a pocket or two old chum.
Response to logosoco (Reply #10)
Fri May 18, 2018, 08:39 AM
tblue37 (27,930 posts)
45. With immigrants afraid to take jobs for fear of being ICEd, and with the border clampdown
and ongoing detentions and deportations, farmers can't get enough workers to harvest their produce, so I bet fruit and vegetable prices will soar this year.
If they live in CHI town or LA an even bigger fear is being iced by a home boy I hear!
Response to logosoco (Reply #10)
Fri May 18, 2018, 09:24 AM
KY_EnviroGuy (2,188 posts)
48. Irony...
Went to get groceries for a friend Wednesday, with tomatoes always on the list. I was worried 'cause I had been reading all the stories about American farmers not getting enough pickers for the crops due to tRump running off all the immigrants, and in fact saw photos of tons of tomatoes rotting in the fields in Florida.
The best ones at my Kroger store were imported from Canada for $2/lb, or around $1/each. I wonder how long even that will last with NAFTA negotiations falling apart. A lot of items look high to me, although some such as milk still seem OK. Grain products seem to have gone up considerably in the past months.
I've noticed a lot of produce coming from Mexico and Central America in the past, and I'm worried that tRump's economic and physical walls will put us all in the poor house.
.........
Whoa, Hollywierd ain't the only one worried about Rotten Tomatoes I guess.
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
Thu May 17, 2018, 12:27 PM
niyad (62,787 posts)
11. but. . .but. . this is the greatest, most wonderfulest, bestest country in the whole world!
'Tis at that I hear on the Big Island they're still yellin' MAGMA
!!
Response to niyad (Reply #11)
Thu May 17, 2018, 12:35 PM
RKP5637 (51,106 posts)
14. Yep, the US is great at spreading bullshit, and then we have the US morons that believe
the crap and vote accordingly.
No comment.
Response to RKP5637 (Reply #14)
Thu May 17, 2018, 12:45 PM
niyad (62,787 posts)
16. some days, I don't know whether to laugh, cry, or slit a vein at that stupidity.
Slit the vein. But remember, go down the road not across the street. Try a couple pints of Ripple, some candles and a hot bath. Rescue crews love ambience.
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
Thu May 17, 2018, 12:30 PM
airmid (194 posts)
12. I have been doing a delicate balancing act for a year. A few months ago my son moved
back in with my grandson (Mom is an addict). I'm not sure I can stretch my budget any further. I lost my food stamps several months ago due to a paperwork snafu. And though they admitted it was their fault, they still kicked my off for a minimum of a year...
It is all about making the right choices now isn't it.
Response to airmid (Reply #12)
Fri May 18, 2018, 09:49 AM
KY_EnviroGuy (2,188 posts)
49. That's despicable, and I hope you find some relief soon.
Food banks like my neighbor goes to have really helped, and I even take what he gets in excess to some other friends that are struggling. I do fear that scarcity may become the norm due to farmers and meat producers losing their labor supply. We may need to ask our large grocers and local corporations to cough up more to help, and it may be wise for us to build a little hoard in can goods for hard times.
Thank goodness tRump and his gang of thieves will be out soon, although not soon enough for us.
Best of luck to you.....
Hungar is a powerful motivator. You too could attend "BOVINE U" and become a real cut up.
Response to KY_EnviroGuy (Reply #49)
Fri May 18, 2018, 10:12 AM
airmid (194 posts)
50. We are getting by. Much better since warm weather is here. As long as I can pull in
staples like flour and such, I have some areas to forage for free berries and greens and the occasional mushroom patch. Got the veg garden going now and a few chickens someone wanted to get rid off. They lay a dozen or more eggs a week. I dread winter....
Who doesn't see that scene with Miss Scarlet?
Response to airmid (Reply #12)
Fri May 18, 2018, 10:33 AM
notdarkyet (1,061 posts)
51. I just went through the most intrusive, despicable application for FS yesterday, for $15 a month.
I was shocked. I’ve never done an application so long and arduous with them before. I kept saying why are you asking this, they never have before. Did I make or sell things? They wanted access to my bank accounts and I said no, and they went and got them anyway. Two hours pre interview then a three hour interview to finish the process. I realized it is all to discourage people and like above find a reason to deny you. I am probably going to be denied because a community group just gave me a grant for 480 for utilities.
The nerve of them, wanting to know if I needed the help. Well, I never. No beer and cheeto money. NEXT!!
Posted in haste, I will repent in leisure. zeit.