The Patriot Post® · A Poor Record on Poverty

Lyndon Johnson’s “war on poverty” has cost more than $20 trillion over 50 years while the percentage of Americans living below the federal poverty line fell only slightly. It’s also no surprise that the “poor” have become poorer under Barack Obama’s redistribution policies (though most of the “poor” enjoy plenty of material provision). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of the population living in short-term poverty (two months to three years) between 2005 and 2007 was 27%. Between 2009 and 2011, however, that number increased to 31.6%. The number of Americans receiving food stamps has ballooned to 47 million, which is 13 million more than in 2009. Obama’s solution to this malaise is to harp on class warfare. Extending unemployment benefits and welfare while raising the minimum wage won’t cut it – unless poverty is the goal.