The poorest folks in America are wealthy compared to many in undeveloped countries. Very true!  But they don't live in an undeveloped country....they live here...next door to you and me.

The US Census Bureau Poverty Thresholds 2007 puts the Poverty threshold for 2007 (for one person under 65 years of age) at $10,787. That is just $898.92 per month! Before taxes!

# of adults under 65	yrly amnt	per month
1	$10,787.00	$898.92
2	$13,884.00	$1,157.00

Remember this is before taxes.  Meriam Webster defines threshold --the place or point of entering or beginning.  But if you can't pay your monthly utilities and rent/house payment with the total of your monthly income; it seems to me you have reached your own personal poverty threshold.

Rent/house pmnt	$400.00
Water/Sewer	$55.89
Electric	$55.00
Gas	$173.00
Phone	$55.72
Cable	$50.43
Internet	$48.88
	$838.92

There is still food, clothing, and transportation costs to add. Some people won't have cable and/or internet...but many are trying to run a household with three, four, or more family members. Remember we are looking at next door to you and me.

US Census Bureau Median Family income is based on 2 people household. And encompasses whole state figures, rural and metropolitan.

	Median Family Income	Poverty thresholds for two adults	Difference
WV (2 people)	$38,505	$13,884.00	$24,621.00
VA ( 2 people)	$59,425	$13,884.00	$45,541.00

There is a whole lot of living between median family income and the poverty threshold. How can we