Yesterday the Census Bureau released new “poverty” statistics for 2010.  Turns out that one out of every seven Americans (about 46 million) was living below the “poverty” line in 2010.  This is the third year in a row that the percentage of people living in “poverty” has increased, and it now stands at a 52 year high of 15.1%.

Now, what’s with all the quotation marks Boortz?  When talking about “poverty” in America, I put the word in quotes because the average “poor” American is struggling to pay their cable bill, not put food on the table.  In other words, our definition of poverty in America is an absurdity.  Our method of defining “living in poverty” came from the Social Security Administration on instructions from Lyndon Johnson.  Johnson needed statistics that would help him push his “Great (welfare) Society.”  Funny though, if you ever look at a chart of “poverty” in America, you will notice that “poverty” declined every single year, since they started tracking in the 1950s.  That was every single year … until Lyndon Johnson implemented his “Great Society!”  Now the rate has always bounced between 12 and 15%.

Notice that none of these stories about the 2010 poverty statistics actually describe what it means to be “living in poverty” in America.  That’s because this picture does not fit into their convenient storyline.  Our government’s definition of poverty is absurd -- hence the quotation marks.  Here’s a look at what it’s like to live in “poverty” in the United States:

• The typical “poor” household in America has a car
• 78% of “poor” households in America have air conditioning
• 64% of “poor” households in America have cable or satellite TV .. most have two TVs, along with a DVD player and  VCR
• Most “poor” households in America with children have a gaming system such as an Xbox or PlayStation
• 38% of “poor” households in America have a personal computer
• Most “poor” households in America have a refrigerator, an oven and stove, and a microwave. They also have other household appliances such as a clothes washer, clothes dryer, ceiling fans, a cordless phone, and a coffee maker.
• The typical “poor” American has more living space than the average European.
• The typical “poor” American family is able to obtain medical care when needed.
• The average “poor” household in America claims to have sufficient funds to meet all essential needs.

Now do you understand why news reporters aren’t rushing to find the nearest “poor” person?  I just feel truly sorry for those people in America who are actually, legitimately poor.  We can’t focus on them because we are too busy worrying about these households filled with cars, TVs, video games and refrigerators.

As of 2010, the poverty line was drawn at $22,314 (pre-tax) for a family of four.  But there is one key element that we are forgetting – by and large these people are also part of the Moocher Class.  This $22,314 in pre-tax income does not include any benefits or government handouts.  Remember … in America you can do as well working one week a month at minimum wage as you can working $60,000-a-year, full-time, high-stress job.  That’s right, "a one-parent family of three making $14,500 a year (minimum wage) has more disposable income than a family making $60,000 a year."  Means-test welfare assistance is on track to top $10 trillion in this decade alone!  Sure sucks to be “poor” in America, doesn’t it?