Isn't the US measure of Poverty Outdated?

[Dermezel]

I am not sure, but I saw a post a while back where the guy was trying to prove capitalism works via the price of eggs. But I read once in my Sociology class that the poverty threshold was outdated because it was based on the price of a basic food item (like rice or beans) multiplied by 3, but inflation has hit other areas of living expenses, such as utilities, gas, and housing, much more then it has hit food.

[syndicat]

the poverty threshold was originally developed back after World War 2, based on a supposed basket of items. but things that were considered necessities then are not the same as things considered necessities now. in many parts of USA having a car is considered a necessity, but it wasn't included in the original concept. food has been a declining percentage of people's basic budgets for decades. housing and transportation are the two largest items.

there have been many suggestions for developing a more realistic measure of a poverty or "basic needs" budget. thus in "Raise the Floor" (published in 2001) their suggested minimum needs budget would require a wage of $17.13 an hour for a family of 2 adults and 2 children if the adults have no employer healh care, $14.81 if they do have employer provided health care.

thus on their calculations a single adult would need 191 percent of the federal poverty income to meet minimum needs.

[LeftSideDown]

Yeah! And back then "holidays" and "state sponsored tourism" weren't considered rights. We have to include these in deciding our definition of impoverished.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article7100943.ece

[Dermezel]

Yeah! And back then "holidays" and "state sponsored tourism" weren't considered rights. We have to include these in deciding our definition of impoverished.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article7100943.ece

One thing I love about Japan is Golden Week- a Celebration of General Wealth. Everyone gets something like 1-2 weeks off all at once. That is why if I am asked what my religion is for a job app. I say Shinto, and declare my religious holiday "Golden Week".

[tradeunionsupporter]

Yes