Recession Creating Legions Of Newly Homeless

Washington Post:

The ravages of the recession, including a surge in foreclosures and unemployment approaching 10 percent, have driven thousands of families onto the streets.

Although the number of homeless individuals remained relatively stable between 2007 and 2008, the number of homeless families rose 9 percent, and in rural and suburban areas the number jumped a staggering 56 percent, according to a report released last week by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[MajorKong]

Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket?

[microsrfr]

We are creating a larger and larger underclass of those financially disenfranchised.

At some point, unless we reverse this, we will have our last election and a demagogue of the left or right will take over.

Only a VAT tax will allow us to compete fairly with the rest of world.

We need to replace individual, local, state and corporate health care expenses as well as corporate income tax with a VAT of 20% accompanied by pay increases of 10-15%. Without this structural change, we have no hope of filling the gap between workers' purchasing power and the cost of goods and services. A federal deficit that grows faster than the economy is not sustainable.

[twofish]

Agree about the dangers of creating a large, permanent underclass. Sooner or later they stop listening to the preachers and politicians who tell them it's their own damn fault and take matters into their own hands.

However, Value-Added Taxes (VAT) are regressive. They make everything more expensive. In a consumer-driven economy like ours, that means less buying and you've seen the gloom that brings to everyone. How is this supposed to overcome stagnant wages and jobs being offshored?

Progressive income taxes take the money from the people and corporations that can most afford it. They can prevent situations like the health insurance industry making a "killing" by dropping people (after years of non-refundable premiums paid) when they get sick, by taxing excess profits.

[jsgaetano]

At last... the Bush Boom!

[GravitonX]

It's about time the suburbs and the rural areas start feeling the pain of the inner city. We need about 3 more years of this, then let's see how proud they are. LOL!

[amoosefloats]

It Doesn't surprise me at all. All this socialist name calling. It seems that whenever anyone wants the government to help it;s people the conservatives call it socialism. Well I hate to inform them that the european social democracies make a real effort to take care of it's sick and poor. In Norway a mothers maternity leave is 1 year and the fathers is 1/2 a year at full pay. They have a much better quality of life.
I left the U.S. 4 years ago and moved back to Canada to escape the Bush Admins attack on people who were not in the top 10%. Canada is not perfect but I do not have to worry about getting sick, if I loose my job there are social supports. Yes we pay more taxes but that is the price to pay if you take care of your people. Waving the flag and taking about how wonderful the nation is when families are living on the street is delusional at best.
But no one in the U.S. wants to pay taxes..... there is the rub. everyone wants something but no one wants to pay for it. I would rather loose 35% of my paycheck knowing that if i lost my job I would be would not starve. Or if my kid became ill that i would lose my house and live in a hotel.

Time to wake up and PAY TAXES!!!!!!

[kassandrasduplex]

I believe Norway redistributes the proceeds of its oil wealth from the North Sea more equitably. In Moore's film Sicko, on the special features section of the home DVD he goes to Norway and asks why their standard of living is so much better than ours. The answer is simple, instead of an economist making decisions about the treasury, they appointed a philosopher to run things.
By contrast American, Dutch and British oil wealth is centralized. In America they don't even pay a fair share of taxes for the wealth they take out of the system.

[jsgaetano]

Like Reagan said, taxes are for poor people.

[abbyrose86]

I couldn't agree with you more. Although, I don't love paying taxes, however, I do appreciate what I get for those costs. Personally, I would rather pay higher taxes and have my health care guaranteed, as well as a few other services.

The town I live in has a very high property tax rate, BUT we have some of the BEST schools in the area, our streets are ALWAYS clean. I live in a town that is considered one of the top SAFEST cities to live in the Whole U.S., our police force and court system is fantastic. We have garbage pickup, that includes recycling, garden clippings, and large pickup EVERY week, (3 separate sanitation trucks come weekly), not to mention free garbage totes and recycling bins from the town. We have a receptive and well trained administration. Our housing values are high. People keep up their homes. We have great parks and community centers. Snow removal services that are par none.

I'm sorry...what is wrong with higher taxes again???

[CologneCitizen]

very well said.

The USA should abandon her "every man for himself" attitude. I live in Germany where it is normal to take care of people when they are in a hole. Which means full health insurance, unemployment money, help with food, housing or clothing and pensions for the elderly. OF COURSE this costs money, tax money. But who in his right mind would want to live in a society that spits on their weakest links ? Conservatives always fear people will take advantage of a more social system. So what ? Nobody choses a live in poverty to get government benefits. Of course people will abuse the system. But it is a very SMALL minority. So the vast majority of poor people should suffer ? I think not´.

Apart from the fact a developed, civilized society has to show some solidarity, we have a much lower crime rate and less fear within our population. Whenever I travel in the USA, it always amazes me how afraid many Americans are of their fellow men, especially when they belong to other ethnic backgrounds than white people. This recession could be a chance to re-think where your country is going. Either continue to serve the small rich minority of 5-10 %, or continue to become a democracy which has the directive to serve all people. ( and BTW this has NOTHING to do with socialism , what you might fear )

Greetings from Cologne, Germany

[lysistrata]

Solidarity is foreign word here.

[grasyknol]

Huffington Post is not letting up on the economy and its impact on Americans. This is why I come back again and again. Thanks.

[ywcachieve]

There sure are flippant comments on this subject. How sad.

[rabiddog6708]

Perhaps the Repubs will cut their taxes and solve all the problems of the homeless and the middle class.

[sepia830]

A lot of these people would have jobs if we did something about the illegal aliens working in the US. It's a shame that jobs once reserved for our teenagers and seniors are being given to illegals who will at times work below minimum wage and under the table. Yes, illegals are willing to work but as a social worker I can tell you that they are bleeding the states dry using our government programs to their benefit and often times doing so fraudulently.

If Obama (who I voted for) truly wants to improve the economy, he will order that wall built ASAP and immediately prohibit government handouts to anyone who was not born in the US and/or who hasn't gone through the proper channels to become a LEGAL citizen. Those monies and jobs can be used to help our veterans and the truly disenfranchised.

[sueinmn]

They are taking the good jobs also these days. Line workers, construction, some of the decent paying blue collar! All for higher profits to the employer, regardless of this SO CALLED SHORTAGE of workers some will claim. (Associated Builders and Contractors) and Chamber of Commerse spens millions lobbying for more workers from across the border. Cheap labor! Non Union!

[Jason Abdon]

Good comment in this piece. Thank folks for reading my 2 cents.

[2tango]

Well between Homeless, and convicts, the country can create a nice powerful ARMY.

trained, dressed, and send them to Pakistan, (Don't forget to erease their "Tatoos")

[sueinmn]

With a high percent of young women with children under five? Your trying to be funny.

[dbg2]

I am disgusted with this country. F..k the banks. Get off you soap box Obama and act. Pitch fork ready and willing.

[WS]

Another poster complained here about being a wage-slave to our soviet union type government.

Maybe he could join these people in being free from being wage-slaves and free up a job for one of us.

[aweissnet]

I have a suggestion.

"Vacated Walmarts."

They'd house every homeless person in this country. Set them up as housing for people, and get some use out of those graveyards!

[planetjeffy]

Lives literally destroyed...
This is Bush's legacy.