Low-Wage Workers Finding It’s Easier to Fall Into Poverty, and Harder to Get Out

[dmcowen674]

3-18-2014

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/low-wage-workers-finding-easier-020454077.html

Low-Wage Workers Finding It’s Easier to Fall Into Poverty, and Harder to Get Out



Climbing above the poverty line has become more daunting in recent years, as the composition of the nation’s low-wage work force has been transformed by the Great Recession, shifting demographics and other factors. More than half of those who make $9 or less an hour are 25 or older, while the proportion who are teenagers has declined to just 17 percent from 28 percent in 2000, after adjusting for inflation, according to Janelle Jones and John Schmitt of the Center for Economic Policy Research.

Today’s low-wage workers are also more educated, with 41 percent having at least some college, up from 29 percent in 2000. “Minimum-wage and low-wage workers are older and more educated than 10 or 20 years ago, yet they’re making wages below where they were 10 or 20 years ago after inflation,” said Mr. Schmitt, senior economist at the research center.

25 million workers in the United States who make less than $10.10 an hour

Of those workers, 3.5 million make the $7.25 federal minimum wage or less.

 

[dmcowen674]

These people should be thrilled, they vote Republican so this must be what they want.

Why are they complaining?

 

[ivwshane]

Sounds like they need more education!

 

[dmcowen674]

Sounds like they need more education!

Why? Did you RTA?

People with College Education not finding jobs much over minimum wage.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Sounds like they need more education!

Less liberal arts majors.

 

[smackababy]

Why? Did you RTA?

People with College Education not finding jobs much over minimum wage.

I stopped reading at "Erika McCurdy needed help last month with her electricity and heating bill, which jumped to $280 in January from the usual $120 — a result of one of the coldest winters in memory". So, it took twice the energy to heat your house as a result of it being how much colder exactly? I think not. The average temperature in Chattanooga in January is 31. It wasn't like this past January saw temperatures hitting -30. Also, she has a 19 year old son she is "raising". Why doesn't he have a job?

Less liberal arts majors.

This. Being "college educated" means nothing if your education is based around something that is unemployable. I read a story about a lady with a PhD who was on welfare. Her PhD was in something stupid like medieval literature... That isn't the sign of a bad economy; that is a sign of a fucking idiot spending $100,000+ on a worthless piece of paper.

 

[PokerGuy]

These people should be thrilled, they vote Republican so this must be what they want.

Why are they complaining?

lol, yeah, those are your prototypical republicans... hahahahahah Have you considered meds for your delusions?

Your insanity and delusions aside, the increasing gap between those on the edge of poverty and those doing well is worrysome. Part of it is obviously choices (kids out of wedlock, single parents, lack of focus on education and achievement etc), but that alone doesn't account for what we're seeing.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

I don't understand you. Why does everything you post an article to have to be political on the terms of "haha, they did something stupid. Dumb Republicans!" when the truth of the matter is they may just not be self starters.

Hell I know a lot of college educated people who are: Lazy, lack common sense, have had issues with the law, aren't a go getter. Just because you're college educated doesn't mean you're going to be handed a job....no matter what kids are told now a days in primary school.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

This is what happens when you CHOOSE not to finish high school.

This is what happens when you CHOOSE not to get education in a field or trade.



These people act like they just woke up in poverty. Like one day everything was great and perfect and then the next day BAM evil conservatives made them poor.

 

[smackababy]

I don't understand you. Why does everything you post an article to have to be political on the terms of "haha, they did something stupid. Dumb Republicans!" when the truth of the matter is they may just not be self starters.

Hell I know a lot of college educated people who are: Lazy, lack common sense, have had issues with the law, aren't a go getter. Just because you're college educated doesn't mean you're going to be handed a job....no matter what kids are told now a days in primary school.

Hell, none of that even matters if you are good at interviewing. Quite a lot of people might be qualified for a job, but if you can't make me believe it when I talk to you, no thanks.

I think another problem is people aren't willing to 'start at the bottom'. Having a college degree doesn't mean you're going to be leading projects, making the big bucks right off the bat. You get an entry level and work your way up.

 

[OverVolt]

http://www.theonion.com/articles/nations-lower-class-at-least-grateful-it-not-part,28999/

Nation's Lower Class At Least Grateful It Not Part Of Nation's Middle Class

CHAPEL HILL, NC—A survey released Wednesday by researchers at the University of North Carolina found that despite the many challenges they face, the nation's lowest-income individuals are nonetheless thankful they don't have to endure the unique hardships of the nation's long-suffering middle class.

According to the report, the 46 million Americans who fall below the federal poverty line, though struggling mightily, are at least glad they don't have to live up to some rapidly vanishing American dream of advancing in their career, making more money, and improving their lifestyle, the way their middle-income counterparts do.

"The unrealistic expectations and false hope they experience must be unbearable," Camden, NJ hotel clerk Allison Jacobsen told researchers, noting that while her $22,000 annual salary barely covers her rent and groceries each month, at least she doesn't operate under the flawed assumption that her situation will ever improve. "A life spent constantly stressing out over a dead-end job or struggling to pay off a fixed 30-year mortgage on a continuously depreciating three-bedroom townhouse? It's horrific."

"Can you believe people actually have to live like that?" Jacobsen added. "I feel just awful for them."

The survey found nearly 87 percent of the nation's lowest earners take comfort knowing they are far enough down the economic chain that their children and grandchildren won't possibly be able to live in circumstances any worse than their own, while 65 percent noted they have enough bills to worry about without the additional middle-class burden of making student loan payments or contributions toward a retirement plan that will probably go bust in the next market crash, anyway.

In addition, half of all destitute Americans said that while they lack medical coverage, at least they aren't stuck paying increasingly high premiums for an increasingly terrible health insurance plan. And nearly all survey participants agreed they are grateful not to be trapped chasing "some sort of fantasy dream life" of middle-class American prosperity that no one in the year 2012 can ever possibly attain.

"I can't even fathom what it would be like to drag yourself to work every morning actually believing that someday it will all pay off," said Bronx, NY substitute teacher David McGrath, who along with his wife and 2-year-old son survives on food stamps. "Or to practically kill yourself for a job promotion or meager raise while under the delusion that you can work your way to the top. People waste the best years of their life doing that, and it's a goddamn tragedy."

Americans who live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to make ends meet told researchers they feel humbled by the travails of the middle class, and take solace knowing that however bad things seem, "some people out there have it a whole lot worse."

"Imagine how traumatic it is to grow up feeling like a failure because you think you have some kind of control over what you achieve in life," said Dana Joerger, a 31-year-old waitress and single mother of three in Stockton, CA. "I just hope and pray my family never falls into the endless cycle of disappointment that plagues our middle class."

Researchers also found that people who were once part of the nation's middle class experience a profound sense of relief upon moving down the country's socioeconomic ladder and finding themselves on the bottom rung.

"Honestly, I can't tell you how much better I feel these days," said 42-year-old former IT technician Ryan Tunnicliffe, who last April lost his job and, subsequently, his house. "Just knowing I no longer have to strive for something completely and utterly out of reach is such a load off my mind."

"I'm poor, and I'm going to stay poor," Tunnicliffe continued while staring at his $320 weekly unemployment check. "It's been very liberating."

Reached for comment, several members of the nation's upper class said they are "equally grateful" to have been spared the hardships of the middle class.

 

[rudder]

So I guess I should change my major from Australian aboriginal music studies then?

 

[Zaap]

I think another problem is people aren't willing to 'start at the bottom'. Having a college degree doesn't mean you're going to be leading projects, making the big bucks right off the bat. You get an entry level and work your way up.

That is so true.
I've seen so many new people in my own field that think they are hot shit coming in right off the bat because they've been conditioned to think "hey, I went to college, now I'm hot shit God's gift... where's my corner office where I get to kick my feet up on the desk and call the shots?"

These types often can't fathom that the company values far more those with real world skills, work ethic, knowledge and experience vs. the 'fast track to hot shit status' types that think they know everything based on whatever school they barely partied their way through. At least at the rank and file/heart and soul/does actual work level of a company. If were talking the executive pool and who went to Harvard or Yale and partied on whose yacht the most etc. then that's a different story.

Just getting some peice of paper from the average bullshit college doesn't count for shit unless it also comes with some serious real world skills and self-aquired "go-getter" knowledge. And even then, you're likely starting at the bottom expected to prove yourself.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

Hell, none of that even matters if you are good at interviewing. Quite a lot of people might be qualified for a job, but if you can't make me believe it when I talk to you, no thanks.

I think another problem is people aren't willing to 'start at the bottom'. Having a college degree doesn't mean you're going to be leading projects, making the big bucks right off the bat. You get an entry level and work your way up.

Agreed. It's absolutely insane how many people don't have simple "people" or interview skills.

I remember interviewing a girl for a position at my old company...I simply asked "why do you think you deserve this job?". Her response...."I don't know".

Absolutely awesome.

 

[Oyeve]

I know the article says more people have higher education today but i think the overall quality of today's education is not as it was say 30 years ago (when i started college). I think education QUALITY was higher yesteryear than today so IMO people are NOT smarter today. I personally know some friends kids who are getting masters are are fucking dumb as dirt. My sister in-law has a double masters, teaches, is applying for principal and a few of years ago told my son the congo is in South America. My son was 11 at the time and he corrected her.

 

[Zorkorist]

Why work when you can go on welfare?

Oh!? You are an optimist?!

LOL!

-John

 

[Zorkorist]

Everything is so hyper-inflated today. A plumber visit will cost you $600 minimum, to fix a fucking pipe.

Government, is the reason why things are so hyper-inflated. They pay people hundreds of dollars for a hammer. For ch4rist-sake.

Now it is catching up to us.

It's very broken.

There is very little opportunity for the person that works hard, and instead, they can rely on the Government tit.

Ride it all the way down.

Everything your ancestors fought for.

-John

 

[Zorkorist]

They pay people hundreds of dollars for a hammer!

Do you remember when that was funny?

Now, today, with Government, out of control, health care, out of control, we wonder why?

-John

 

[MtnMan]

Go to school, learn a trade, learn a skill and work for what you want. I did, and I don't owe you a life style on par with mine because you are too damn lazy to work for it, which includes improving yourself and your skills.

 

[Zorkorist]

Pay back the $58,000 you owe on the Federal Government Debt.

If you are married, include her $58,000.

If you have children. Include their $58,000, each.

Then, lets talk.

-John

 

[Zorkorist]

Cast not thy bricks before glass houses...

-John

 

[Pr0d1gy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWUQtSXVoQM

 

[Zorkorist]

Who is John Galt?

-John

 

[master_shake_]

you need the people in poverty to hold up the rich

everyone knows that...it's like a pyramid and shit runs down hill

 

[Zorkorist]

We're all in poverty. It's all fake money.

The people at the top are the best liars, manipulators, cheaters, users, and abusers.

(Government)

-John