Less Earners Since 1929

[Allabord4Jah]

The average American household is now earning LESS income than it did at the end of the Great Recession

 

The average household is earning less than when the Great Recession ended four years ago and some Americans are affected even more than others.  U.S. median household income, once adjusted for inflation, has fallen 4.4 percent since the official end of the recession, according to Census Bureau statistics.  Specific groups such as blacks, the young, and the upper-middle-aged have experienced even larger than average drops in income. 

 

Younger people and those aged between 55 and 64 were hit worse than other age groups. In the older group, income dropped from $62,842 to $58,432 on average.  In only one group did median income go up. Americans aged 65 to 74 saw their average income go from $40,885 to $42,984.

 

In addition to age and marital status, race was a factor in household income drops.  Worst off were African American households which, according to the study, saw a larger income drop since the end of recession than other groups.  Interestingly, increase in college enrollment during the recovery caused income to drop across all education levels.   Somewhat less surprisingly, households headed by unemployed persons were the hardest hit of all with a 21 percent decrease in average income.

 

POCKET CHANGE: HOW DIFFERENT AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS HAVE BECOME EVEN WORSE OFF SINCE THE RECESSION

The Great Recession hit most American households where it hurts: in their pockets. Some, however, were affected more than others. Though median income has risen since plummeting after 2008 and hitting a low in summer 2011, average American household income is still 6% below pre-recession levels. And for most American households, income is down from levels seen at the end of the Great Recession.

 

AGE

 

• Americans household headed by those aged 55-64: Income down 7 percent

   

• Householders under 25 years old: Income down 9.6 percent
• Householders 65-74 were saw the only increase: Income up 5.1 percent

RACE

• Median income for white households down 3.6 percent
• Black household income dropped 10.9 percent
• Hispanic housholders saw a 4.5 percent drop

REGION

• Southern households saw an average income decline of 6.2 percent
• Northeastern household income dropped 3.9 percent
• Households living in the West saw a 5.4 percent decline
• Midwest average household income was up a statistically insignificant 0.8 percent

In fact, according to a report from Sentier Research, every group is worse off to some degree except for those aged 65 to 74.  The median, or midpoint, income in June 2013 was $52,098. That's down from $54,478 in June 2009, when the recession ended.   And it's below the $55,480 that the median household took in when the recession began in December 2007.

 

The study found that both family households and single Americans were affected.    The average income for single people fell from $33,815 to $31,166. Men living alone were hit worse than women living alone with a drop of 9.1 and 6.5 percent drops respectively.   Married couples were affected less so. Average income for them fell by 2.6 percent.

[Lin ASL Ebron]

I'm living proof of this.  I finally broke down and applied for cash aid (welfare: $277/month for a family of 3).  For the life of me, I can't image how any one thinks this is preferred over working for a living.  I've got the food stamps, section 8 housing, the "Obama" phone and now, if they accept my application, the free welfare check.  Believe me, I am far from living like a queen.

 

This system and it's propaganda is very cruel and it is so discouraging how many people believe what they see/hear in the media regarding the majority of people receiving assistance.  When they started calling unemployment an "entitlement", nobody corrected that, as if people who work for a living don't realize that their payroll taxes include a payment toward unemployment.  That's not an entitlement, you pay for that out of your paycheck every pay period.  A portion of our state taxes go toward the Social Services programs of our states.   The small number of people who are corrupt get all the attention and everyone prefers to think anybody, everybody is doing the same thing somehow to get "all this free stuff" to live lives of leisure.

 

One of the things I really appreciate about Jehovah's generosity is how He enables the less fortunate to maintain their dignity despite what this system propagates.

 

Agape'

[pnutts]

Be glad you don't live in Nevada. You pay into unemployment -but you can't collect because they don't know what lay off is. They just fire everybody -by the dozens even hundreds-no unemployment checks. It happened to my wife, 150 'fired in summertime then 36 including my wife-just after doing overtime to finish projects ( like in the prodigal returns dvd ). Just before that a casino/hotel closed down- 300 employees and 100 guests given 1 hour to vacate.

Edited August 23, 2013 by pnutts

[Lin ASL Ebron]

Wow!!!  I remember when I was living in Northern CA, I was a temp at Memorex.  Back in the 1980/1990s, a lot of the tech companies would close for the last two weeks of the year.  Unbeknownst to the employees, it had been decided by management to close the facility and send pink slips out during the two week break.  I was working in HR.  One of the managers decided to go into the lunch room and announce the plan.  Of course, a path was beat straight to my door.  Being a temp, I had no knowledge of this.  I got my purse and got the heck outta there.  Those people were about to beat the door down of the HR manager.  Scary stuff...

 

On another occasion, I was attending a college, like ITT.  I had already started my program, maybe completed two or three semesters.  We returned to start the next semester and those jokers had closed the school, emptied the building and left town.  Leaving students and employees out in the cold.  To add insult to injury, I was still held to the school loan.

 

Even back then, it was being shown how true Jehovah's words are (Jeremiah 17:5) . . .Cursed is the able-bodied man who puts his trust in earthling man and actually makes flesh his arm. . .

 

For a long time this system and it's institutions seemed to work, strong as big trees.  Because of that, when stuff like this happened, people would poo-poo it as some strange anomaly, some times even looking down on the victims as somehow being "stupid" to have gotten taken advantage of.  This is the spirit of this system.  It's happening more and more, to more and more.  Remember "going postal"...?

 

Agape'

[zoebarry]

I'm living proof of this.  I finally broke down and applied for cash aid (welfare: $277/month for a family of 3).  For the life of me, I can't image how any one thinks this is preferred over working for a living.  I've got the food stamps, section 8 housing, the "Obama" phone and now, if they accept my application, the free welfare check.  Believe me, I am far from living like a queen.

 

This system and it's propaganda is very cruel and it is so discouraging how many people believe what they see/hear in the media regarding the majority of people receiving assistance.  When they started calling unemployment an "entitlement", nobody corrected that, as if people who work for a living don't realize that their payroll taxes include a payment toward unemployment.  That's not an entitlement, you pay for that out of your paycheck every pay period.  A portion of our state taxes go toward the Social Services programs of our states.   The small number of people who are corrupt get all the attention and everyone prefers to think anybody, everybody is doing the same thing somehow to get "all this free stuff" to live lives of leisure.

 

One of the things I really appreciate about Jehovah's generosity is how He enables the less fortunate to maintain their dignity despite what this system propagates.

 

Agape'

 

 

My dear sister, I am sure glad that you were able to get assistance.

 

I live in Northern California.  I have been working and paying taxes since I was 16 years old.  I am now about to turn 50.  When I went through my divorce in 2004, I was unemployed with two small children ages 5 and 3.  I applied for Welfare and was DENIED TWICE!!! Because my 6 year old car was worth too much money.  I asked the counselor how was I suppose to survive.  She said that some people have to move into studio apartments because it had to be a lifestyle change.  WHAT?!  Needless to say, I was furious that as a citizen and tax payer for all those years, I couldn't get some temporary help.

 

But Jehovah too care of us, as He always does.  I had to roll pennies to put $3 worth of gas in my car to be able to pick my kids up from school and the preschool that their father insisted that they attend. I sold my wedding ring so that we could eat, I even got a loan on the title of my car so we could survive.  It was the darkest time of my life.

 

Fast forward 10 years and me and the kids are doing well.  I am so thankful that Jehovah admonishes that the congregation help "widows and fatherless boys" because several brothers and sisters gave me grocery gift cards and money to help me out.  I only look forward to doing the same someday for another.

[bohemian]

Just a minor point, but while recognizing the drop in living standards since 2008, the post title indicates since 1929.  Is that a mistake?

[trottigy]

Be glad you don't live in Nevada. You pay into unemployment -but you can't collect because they don't know what lay off is. They just fire everybody -by the dozens even hundreds-no unemployment checks. It happened to my wife, 150 'fired in summertime then 36 including my wife-just after doing overtime to finish projects ( like in the prodigal returns dvd ). Just before that a casino/hotel closed down- 300 employees and 100 guests given 1 hour to vacate.

Wow, i live in Las Vegas, Nevada and have never heard anything about this. Do you have a link to the story?

All the people I know that were "fired" / laidoff have received unemployment.

Pnutts, i see you are London. Perhaps I am mistaken and there is a Nevada, UK?

Edited August 23, 2013 by trottigy

[pnutts]

Wow, i live in Las Vegas, Nevada and have never heard anything about this. Do you have a link to the story?

All the people I know that were "fired" / laidoff have received unemployment.

Pnutts, i see you are London. Perhaps I am mistaken and there is a Nevada, UK?

My wife worked for Employers Insurance ( workers comp ), Las Vegas, NV, USA branch during the transition to private from state run back early 1999- Jan/2002. We had only been married about 1 1/2 months at time of her and 35 others firing. It was also in Jan/2002 that a casino/hotel closed its doors giving 300 employees & 100 guests only 1 hour to vacate the building. Her apt was on Spenser next to a corner store near that piano player's museum that they just made a movie about.

 

Just like in the new DVD- she, a junior underwriter & a paralegal with access to state records, along with others, had been putting in overtime ( 12 hour days ) to finish policy renewals, then after the work was done-they fired 36 including my wife. Nevada has a no reason firing policy. If fired then company doesn't have to pay unemployment benefits -and not one of the 36 nor 150 the summer before got any benefits.

 

However there was a major silver lining for us . We had prayed about moving closer to the new office building, her taking job ( 60 hours a week ) at Reno office or move to Canada where I owned a home.

We prayed about it Thursday evening and she got fired the next day. Prayer answered from left field. Turns out my parents in Paris, ON ( an hour east of London ) needed me, and my wife's mother decide to move with us-however she ended up in Port Huron, MI about 1 hour west of London. It turned out for the best.

Edited August 23, 2013 by pnutts

[ava]

I'm living proof of this.  I finally broke down and applied for cash aid (welfare: $277/month for a family of 3).  For the life of me, I can't image how any one thinks this is preferred over working for a living.  I've got the food stamps, section 8 housing, the "Obama" phone and now, if they accept my application, the free welfare check.  Believe me, I am far from living like a queen.

 

This system and it's propaganda is very cruel and it is so discouraging how many people believe what they see/hear in the media regarding the majority of people receiving assistance.  When they started calling unemployment an "entitlement", nobody corrected that, as if people who work for a living don't realize that their payroll taxes include a payment toward unemployment.  That's not an entitlement, you pay for that out of your paycheck every pay period.  A portion of our state taxes go toward the Social Services programs of our states.   The small number of people who are corrupt get all the attention and everyone prefers to think anybody, everybody is doing the same thing somehow to get "all this free stuff" to live lives of leisure.

 

One of the things I really appreciate about Jehovah's generosity is how He enables the less fortunate to maintain their dignity despite what this system propagates.

 

Agape'

 

 

Sadly for everyone like you who is NOT taking advantage of the system, there are probably so many more who are.  

 

I have relatives who are not witnesses, and it amazes me the extremes and lies they will tell to get welfare checks.  My aunt has never worked a day in her life, but she gets food stamps, money, etc.  She has nothing wrong with her, but she doesn't want to work, so she claims things and gets free money.    20 yrs ago she married a man, and then her welfare checks stopped.  So they divorced and have lived together ever since, even though he works and makes ok money.  This way she still gets her free money.  Her kids (my cousins) are just as bad, I am amazed at the things they come up with to get government assistance.

 

 My own sister, not a witness, also plays the system.  She has been a bartender for 30 yrs, and only claims a small percentage of her tips.  This allows her to come under the threshold needed to obtain government assistance.  She had a kid out of wedlock, so since she is not married, that gave her additional money and free health insurance for her daughter from the state.  Also, underage girls can often get free healthcare if they have a baby.  My husband's niece is one of them.  Got pregnant at age 16, and the state pays for medical care for her son.  My other sister got pregnant at age 24, not married, and she too got $400 a month in food stamps and a $400 cash check.  She chose not to work, so she could keep the free money, and she moved in with my parents.  By not working, she got the money.  

 

There use to be a time when if a girl got pregnant she took care of it, with her families help. Now, the state gives free medical care to these ones.  It's almost like the system rewards girls who get pregnant without marriage.  Married people pay for their kids, unmarried people get assistance, doesn't sound quite fair, lol.  You have sex before marriage, you get pregnant, and you now qualify for assistance.  System is very sad.  I read an article not too long ago where they did a survey, and many of the unmarried moms admitted the reason they kept having kids (by different men) was to get free money and healthcare.  The more kids you have, the more assistance you receive.

 

So there are many good people out there who are just using the system to help them out, and they need the extra help.  There are plenty though that take advantage of it.

 

When they use the word "entitlement" many people, republicans actually, like to blame the people.  Republicans say "if you had just gone to college" or "if you just finished high school" or "if you just live within your means" etc, so it's ones like that who feel that people are just lazy and that is why they need government assistance.  They feel that if everyone finishes high school, takes out a college loan, then they will be fine. 

 

I personally have no problem with government assistance.  Sometimes even the best people need a little help.  But I do have issues with so many people who lie and do things to obtain free money from the government, and there are many, many who do.

 

And it's ok that you need a bit of help.  I am sorry that many sadly classify all the ones receiving government assistance as lazy or not wanting to work.  It's very unfair to ones like you and the other good people out there who due to circumstances beyond their control, need a little help!!!!  It's an unfair world we live in!!!!!  

 

Nothing wrong with needing a little help and asking for it!!!!!  Bad things happen to good people as well, and sometimes we need some extra help!!!!  I personally have never needed government assistance, but if something bad happened that was beyond my control, I too would be ok in trying to obtain it.  You do what you have to do.

Edited August 23, 2013 by ava

[Allabord4Jah]

Just a minor point, but while recognizing the drop in living standards since 2008, the post title indicates since 1929.  Is that a mistake?

Yes, my mistake, sorry my brother, it should have read since the End of the Great Depression. 

[Lin ASL Ebron]

My dear sister, I am sure glad that you were able to get assistance.

 

I live in Northern California.  I have been working and paying taxes since I was 16 years old.  I am now about to turn 50.  When I went through my divorce in 2004, I was unemployed with two small children ages 5 and 3.  I applied for Welfare and was DENIED TWICE!!! Because my 6 year old car was worth too much money.  I asked the counselor how was I suppose to survive.  She said that some people have to move into studio apartments because it had to be a lifestyle change.  WHAT?!  

I lived in Northern CA from 1985 to 2008, so I know just what you mean.  After working for over 20 years and purchasing a home, I lost my job, exhausted my unemployment and never really recovered.  That's a lot of why I returned to NC.  I loved it in CA, but when the economy started to slide in late 2007 we couldn't get traction.  I ended up in my car with my two daughters for 3 weeks.  My dad had to take out a loan and send me the money so I could leave CA.

 

Unfortunately,in this system, you're penalized for telling the truth.  Thank goodness we have Jehovah!  It's just as you and Pnutts mentioned earlier, if we submit to what Jehovah allows, we have the opportunity to see Him demonstrate the true meaning of His name.  He becomes exactly what we need in each individual case.  That's what's so wonderful about the God we worship.

 

Agape'

[ava]

My dear sister, I am sure glad that you were able to get assistance.

 

I live in Northern California.  I have been working and paying taxes since I was 16 years old.  I am now about to turn 50.  When I went through my divorce in 2004, I was unemployed with two small children ages 5 and 3.  I applied for Welfare and was DENIED TWICE!!! Because my 6 year old car was worth too much money.  I asked the counselor how was I suppose to survive.  She said that some people have to move into studio apartments because it had to be a lifestyle change.  WHAT?!  Needless to say, I was furious that as a citizen and tax payer for all those years, I couldn't get some temporary help.

 

But Jehovah too care of us, as He always does.  I had to roll pennies to put $3 worth of gas in my car to be able to pick my kids up from school and the preschool that their father insisted that they attend. I sold my wedding ring so that we could eat, I even got a loan on the title of my car so we could survive.  It was the darkest time of my life.

 

Fast forward 10 years and me and the kids are doing well.  I am so thankful that Jehovah admonishes that the congregation help "widows and fatherless boys" because several brothers and sisters gave me grocery gift cards and money to help me out.  I only look forward to doing the same someday for another.

 

 

This is what is so sad.  You did everything right for many years, and then when you need help, you are penalized.  Very unfair.

 

That is what I was trying to convey in my first post.  It's sad when people don't want to do anything to fix the situations they put themselves in, they would rather the government fix them.  Then good people like you who always took care of himself, paid his taxes, did everything right by the law, now you need a little help, and you can't get it.

 

I remember years back, my husband took a serious pay cut at work.  His employer was struggling, so they cut people's salaries.  At the time I was not working, and trying to find a job, but hadn't yet.  I looked into getting some food stamps on a temp basis to help out til I got a job, but my husband's income was bout $50 over the limit so we didn't qualify.  Yet, my sister get's pregnant, does not marry the father, and got food stamps, free healthcare, and I'm like "ok, how does this make sense" lol, it's just insane.  

 

It just causes me to shake my head and wonder who on earth developed this system.  It makes no sense.  Very unfair and sad when good people are punished by this system.

 

I am glad the friends at the hall helped you in your time of need and I am happy that things have gotten better for you!!!!!!!!

Edited August 23, 2013 by ava

[cresyj]

That is a shame. Be glad you don't live in Delaware either. Its a right to Fire State. Which means that they kind fire you for any reason at any time! I too have been getting help as I'm fighting for my disability benefits due to ongoing health problems. I get a $90 check and stamps. My car insurance is $92, you do the math. That means I have zero income. I'm a Regular Pioneer alot of times I have no gas, but I pray to Jehovah if I make it to the hall, that somehow I will get gas I need. True to Matt 6:33, he has sustained me. I have food,shelter and clothing, so I'm happy with that, anything more is extra blessing. I too have had the loving support of friends in the congregation who have at times helped me out in times of need. I'm thankful to Jehovah for their generosity. Job market not good either. My niece has over 100k in student loans which she graduated in Graphic Arts, yet she working at Toll Booth Plaza as a Teller. It shows how bad the job market is! We know as this system progresses toward its end, its only going to intensify. True to Isa 41:10, Jehovah is continuing to support me as I serve him.

[Jordan]

somehow thought this was fitting...


http://www.ijreview.com/2013/08/74658-dd/

 

“The problem is, is that even if the federal government keeps on putting more and more money in the system [subsidization of student loan interest rates], if the cost [of tuition] is going up by 250 percent, [and] tax revenues aren’t going up 250 percent – at some point, the government will run out of money.” - Obama.

[Lin ASL Ebron]

Yeah, but those are facts and we're not dealing with that right now.  As long as we can continue to print money, we can act like that's working, and for some it is working.  I just watch an interview of the "Rich Dad Poor Dad" author, Richard Kiyosaki.  The host, Greg Hunter, kept asking when the financial system would hit bottom and Mr. Kiyosaki. was getting so frustrated.  He kept trying to explain that the economic downturn had not affected him adversely and that he was making more money than ever.  So while things get worse for some, things are going swimmingly for others.  Then there are those who feel like they've "prepared" with underground bunkers, prepared meals, gold and guns.  They have the attitude "I got mine, you'd better get yours".  When the reality of Jehovah's words coming to fruition hits these folks it's going to be quite ugly.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BAtKNlPvME Robert Kiyosaki  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EiMUPdtFXI - Catherine Austin Fitz

 

I guess the good thing about us falling upon hard times in this time of the end is that we're learning now to be courageous and strong.  We're seeing Jehovah's hand in our personal circumstances which strengthens our faith.  Then we have others who have simplified as Mother has suggested and they're learning to be content with less.  This scripture is transitioning from a figurative to a literal fulfillment as we move deeper into the end of this system:

 

(Psalm 91:7-10) . . .A thousand will fall at your very side And ten thousand at your right hand; To you it will not come near.  8 Only with your eyes will you look on And see the retribution itself of the wicked ones.  9 Because you [said]: “Jehovah is my refuge,” You have made the Most High himself your dwelling; 10 No calamity will befall you, And not even a plague will draw near to your tent.

 

Even when we experience undesirable events (i.e.: lights or other utilities being disconnected, temporarily) we are learning to "stand still and see Jehovah's salvation".  I know in my case, it feels really awkward because I still feel I should be "doing something" even though, a lot of times, there's nothing I can do.  I don't have any money, or I don't have a car, or I don't have some other material means, and yet Jehovah uses someone to make sure we have what we need.  Poverty also take a lot of humility and modesty.  I often reflect on this point:

 

*** w03 3/1 p. 17 pars. 18-19 Trust in Jehovah With All Your Heart ***

Wherever possible, we help others to be enlightened about our work, using whatever means are available. And we work to defend and legally establish the good news. However, we do not put our whole trust in such efforts, in that we do not view success or failure as hanging on our winning court cases or getting favorable publicity. Rather, we trust in Jehovah. We remember his encouragement to ancient Israel: “Your mightiness will prove to be simply in keeping undisturbed and in trustfulness.”—Isaiah 30:15.

19 At times during our modern history, our work has been banned or restricted in Eastern and Western Europe, in parts of Asia and Africa, and in countries of South and North America. Does this mean that our trust in Jehovah has been misplaced? No. While he sometimes has permitted bitter persecution for his own good purpose, Jehovah has lovingly strengthened those who have borne the brunt of that persecution. Under it, many Christians have built a wonderful record of faith and trust in God.

 

When this article/issue came out, I was just barely returning to Christian meetings after over 10 years of spiritual inactivity.  It gave me a whole new way of looking at my efforts compared to relying on Jehovah.  Many times I have felt like such a failure because of my apparent inability to maintain gainful employment.  But as I've looked back over these past several years, despite any failure on my part, I have always had what I've needed for me and my girls.  I honestly can't take any credit for anything we have.  My biggest obstacle has been my own mind set.  The feeling of being out of control has really been hard to deal with.  I'm still learning.  We worship a truly approachable, generous and loyal God.

 

Agape'