Photo by Larry Fencyk
By JOANNA WIEBE Kansan News Editor
There are 50 million poor in America today, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's 25 per cent of America's population of 201 million persons.
These people of the slums and ghettos earn from $1,500 to $3,000 per family per year.
At the same time, a two-pack-a-day smoker spends at least $208 a year on cigarettes. Liquor consumers average about $219 on this item per year. Each
meat-eater spends at least $100 per year on beef, pork, chicken, lamb, etc.
For America's 50 million poor, the total of these three items would comprise at least 26 per cent of their yearly family income.
A community of 25,000 people generates 40 to 50 tons of garbage daily.
Two years ago, automobile factories sold $19 billion worth of cars, a total of 8,976,226 vehicles. The city of Chicago picks some 14,000 unwanted vehicles off its streets each year.
The Census Bureau lists 11.4 million buildings in America in deteriorating or deficient condition. Testimony before the House Subcommittee on Housing said it would take at least $125 billion in public and private investment to end slums in 25 years.
In our country at least 25 per cent of the population is poorly housed, underfed, and in general falls far short of "Great Society" standards.
"To what purpose is this waste?"—Matthew, The Bible, King James Version, 1611.
Photo by Mike Rieke
Photo by Mike Rieke
Insert by Bert Lancaster
---
Photo by Greg Sorber