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In 2004, over 1.7 million, one fifth of the population of New Jersey, lived in true poverty: defined as 200% of the federal poverty level. Over 722,000 (8.5%) New Jersey residents had incomes below the federal poverty level. Over 311,000 (3.7%) in New Jersey lived in severe poverty: defined as 50% of the federal poverty level.
In 2004, the poverty line for a single adult was set at $9,827. In New Jersey, the minimum wage is $7.15 or just under $15,000 per year. In order to maintain the barest essentials of life, a single adult in rural New Jersey needs to earn a minimum of $12.00 per hour or about $25,000 per year. This is for a small two room apartment (kitchen and living/bedroom), transportation (public), food, laundry, etc. This does not include medical or dental expenses. Housing costs in urban and suburban areas only increase the cost of living expenses. There is a gap between the minimum wage and a living wage that is nearly impossible for the working poor to bridge. There is an even larger gap between legislative poverty and true poverty. Where is the compassion in our society? Where is the economic justice we are called upon by our God to exercise? Abraham Lincoln described our nation as being “of the people, by the people, for the people”. If our elected government leaders are working on our behalf, is it our desire for the poor to be isolated and denied the barest essentials of life in our society? What can be done: Fight both the cause and effect of poverty… Feed the neighbor on your left…talk to the neighbor on your right… |