Across region, poverty among children rising at quicker rate than rest of U.S.

Casey O.
Kerkhoven, MN     11/04/2009 8:40 AM

Just a question. If everybody who is able to work achieved high pay positions like so many say everybody can do, who would be left to make you your burger, sell you your groceries, clothes, food, feed your kids at school, take care of your kids while you are working? If everyone was a higher wage worker, who is left to work the lower wage jobs?

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Randy O.
Hoffman, MN     11/04/2009 7:33 AM

Todd, you're right, just work harder, tell the boss you'll work for less pay. "Hey why pay me $8 an hour when $7 will do just fine!" Obviously when people have been losing their job over the past few years, it's because they are lazy.

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Denise S.
Atwater, MN     11/04/2009 12:10 AM

and bob jumps in at the last minute to stick his two cents in it! I absolutely do not need your help with any point I want to make bob! I am capable of making myself perfectly clear! Off to the med line for you!

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Ian S.
Atwater, MN     11/04/2009 12:02 AM

This just in.......................working families have been duped. I knew it. http://www.theonion.com/content/node/43212

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Barb K.
Olivia, MN     11/03/2009 11:51 PM

I believe in charity and being kind and in forgiveness. We all make mistakes. I just believe too many people depend on the government. This country was not built on the government taking from those who earn it and giving to others. That's the kind of government our ancestors came to this country to get away from. My grandparents lost everything during the Depression. 20 years later they owned a farm and a house in town and were retired with enough money to live out their days. My grandfather died in 1964 and my grandmonther died in 1978. The reason they could do so well in such a short period of time is they paid very little in taxes and were able to keep what they made. They did not pay into Social Security or Medicare nor did they collect from those programs. It's the government and all the programs and all the taxes that keep people from getting ahead. Just think what you could have if you didn't have to pay sales tax, federal income tax, state income tax, social security tax, medicare tax, unemployment tax, workers compensation, (I know those last 2 and 1/2 of the SS & MC tax is paid in by the employer but those taxes are actually earned by the employee's labor), then there is all the taxes included in everything you purchase paid through the companies and corporations, and more taxes to numerous to mention. If all of those taxes could be cut by 75% which would get us back to the rates my grandparents paid I really believe we would all be much better off.

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Ian S.
Atwater, MN     11/03/2009 11:26 PM

Bottom line is that the Federal Poverty level is not even close to what actual poverty is. I think that a requirement should be that the people who come up with these standards should have to try and live off their families "Poverty" level for a full year. Then we would see how realistic these guidelines are. 24,800 for a family of 5. So, after you have taxes, insurance, etc (35%)taken out you are left with roughly 16,000. After you pay rent/mortgage (say $600/mo), you have $8800 left. After you buy groceries ($100/wk?), you have $3600 to blow on insurance for your vehicle. You should even stil l be able to buy some gasoline to get to work. After that you should be able to even buy some clothes. Oh, forgot you still have to pay the heat bill, electric bill, water bill, garbage bill, etc. Lets see how long they would make it before eating a bullet. Could be a new game show. I am saying the system is designed to keep working families poor. I can't tell you how many times I have heard a boss congratulate an employee on buying a house, or having a baby. Next comment, now we have you for life. I know most of the time it is in jest.

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Denise S.
Atwater, MN     11/03/2009 11:25 PM

I think I have paid for my choices for the past 13 years (You should see what I married! JK) I also think that as a country we should be responsible for the choices of others! This country is based upon helping one another! So is the faith this country was built upon! I guess as a human I think if I have the ability I should help others. With taxes or other forms! My husband and I have done many things outside of monitary help for others just because it is the right thing to do! Maybe I come from a very different backround but This is just My Opinion on it all! A single parent (who is there by choice) has every right to help as the married ones or widowed ones do! Just because they made a bad decision doesn't make them less worthy!

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Barb K.
Olivia, MN     11/03/2009 11:20 PM

Denise - If one parent dies and they have paid into social security the kids each get a check and so does the surviving parent if that parent isn't earning more than the earnings limit. Parents should also carry life insurance. Single parenthood, except if a parent dies, is a result of a choice. We need to be responsible for our choices. I chose not to have sex until after I was married and I was very careful to choose a husband I could really trust. I made good choices. I don't mean to sound cruel but do you think I should be responsible to pay for your choices?

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Denise S.
Atwater, MN     11/03/2009 11:07 PM

Ian, you suck! Just because you now want to run off don't take it out on the marrage system. It could get rectified you know!

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Denise S.
Atwater, MN     11/03/2009 11:05 PM

So barb by you account it is the single parents who make up the biggest part of the child poverty. I can tell you that your assumtions are off a bit! I have worked in the county and know that alot of poverty stricken families are not single parents! They are full families that are asking for help, yes there are teen mothers and single parents, but it happens. I happened to be both for a long time! I had two children by the time I was 20 (both within one year). I was unwed and poor, but I know I was not in the majority! And just to make it real clear I got MA and WIC but no other assistance! Did that mean I didn't deserve help? Does being a single parent mean you deserve help less? What happens when a married woman has 3 kids and he dies. Does her now being a single parent make her less worthy of help? I am not trying to put you on the spot, just trying to oopen your eyes to the possiblities that being a single parent isn't always a choice you have made.

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