Poverty level in the United States rises to the highest level in decades

I hate to hear that there is a rise in the poverty level here for the United States but it's easy enough to believe. I think that people are going into major debt because of lack of work, and that is effecting the poverty level. I also think that people who invested a lot of their earnings into things that are now not taking off like they did, such as rental properties and perhaps small time car salesman, are feeling the effects of the economy and are going into debt because of it. I am not really sure what the government should do.

With a new president there was hope for a new change . We haven't seen a GOOD change. Tho hope is dwindling in America, it's hard to pick up and try to live as we did a few years ago. It really doesn't look good to any other country that American's are living in poverty does it? Our government should take an HONEST look at our people, the jobs, the wages and consider a measure of pulling American's out of this poverty level. Also , Americans are now scared of what IS to come and there is no desire to do ........ Something drastic has to happen or we will be a third world country. How sad...

I agree with much of what gunnerfan1 said. What the government calls poverty isn't always so bad. Those on the bottom tier in the US are still far above the average in many, many countries. There are so many other factors to be considered... for instance, many elderly in the US could be considered living in poverty because they live on Social Security and not much else.. but many of them own their own homes and have maintenance done on them and their vehicles for free by family members. Many things are free or reduced for senior citizens, including groceries, bus rides, membership to many things. That's just one "for instance," and there are many other groups with benefits that don't even include welfare and food stamps. I think the government's response should be to quit levying so many taxes and allow capitalism to operate instead of trying to control everything. We don't need a nanny state, we need the chance to stand on our own two feet.

lAurenin La I think we must get our out of work Americans back to work and that Obama had better be doing something constructive at once and quit fiddle farting around with crap overseas. Let other countries try to fend for themselves and help our own country for a while. we need our people working now right now not next year, we need to pay attention to the problems at home and let the rest of the world take care of their own problems too.

I am really totally unknowing about politics or political solutions. I have no idea what the government should do..except cut some of their crazy programs. they spend money on some of the dumbest things and it is at the tax payers expense. This is one way they could even help reduce the federal deficit!