Two Americas

John Edwards was the only candidate in 2004 to highlight poverty as a prominent issue in the United States.  His campaign theme was "Two Americas."

What does this mean?

There are 37 million Americans living below the poverty line, an increase of five million since President Bush came to power...

But there are 269 billionaires in America, the highest number in the world.

About 25 percent of African Americans and 22 percent of Hispanics fall below the poverty line...

But about 9 percent for white Americans.

One of the poorest communities in America in the Pine Ridge Indian reservation with unemployment of 80 percent and almost 70 percent of people living in poverty...

And the richest town in America is Rancho Santa Fe in Califronia with average incomes in excess of $100,000 per year.

Sources:  

Harris, Paul, "37 Million Poor Hidden in the Land of Plenty."  19 Feb. 2006.  The Observer. http://www.guardian.com.uk/world/2006/feb/19/usa.paulharris.