Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics

Poverty. Now, before you read the rest of this, think. When "poverty" comes to mind, what is it that you think of? Give it some thought.

Is "poverty" a condition or a statistic? Is there always "poverty?" Are the lowest 20% in the economic pecking order always poor? So, then, no matter how well off some people may be, even at the bottom, they are poverty-ridden?

What brings this to mind are a couple of recent articles in the newspapers. According to a couple of recent studies, today, 97% of people below the poverty line own color televisions! 76% have air conditioning! (Hey, we only got it three years ago!) Similar statistics show for autos, microwaves, and other necessities. Hey, more than half of them have cable television!!!! This coincides with recent claims of "the poor" using their state aid for cigarettes and booze. I know, I know, "Why should the poor be deprived of cigs and color TVs and...?" http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/williams103107.php3
http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4519

This reminds me of hearing about a dentist who owns a home in Bloomfield Hills (and how many of us can afford a home there?). He "can't afford" health insurance for his family, according to the story. Huh? Is he a rotten dentist? Can't he sell his home in BH and move out here with the rest of us peons? No, he certain can afford health insurance. He is just unwilling or too selfish to do so. It's more important for him to live in BH than to see that his family is covered.

Certainly there are poor people, people who are struggling to make it. No, this doesn't include those who bought homes, SUVs, and other toys beyond their means because credit was cheap and available. And, we must examine the situation of the poor. What causes their poverty? Is it because there is no father in the house, one-parent families? Is it because they opted not to take advantage of the multitude of educational opportunities available? Is it because they had children early, unable to care for them properly, and continue to have them? These and other questions need to be answered.

Those who, through no fault of their own, are poor deserve help. (Think about a donation this Christmas season rather than giving/getting gifts--but thoroughly research the charity first.)

At least, though, let's be honest about poverty.