That almost balances out the million more Americans that dropped below the poverty line last year. In fact, 102 billionaires comes to about $100,000 for every one of those people who fell into poverty in the United States last year. That's $200k for a couple. A family of 4... well, you can do the math. A guy could live pretty handsomely on that kind of salary. Hell, I'd be drinking "good" beer. (okay, before Clyde and Dookie call me on it, I admit that I usually do, but I'd be drinking even more of it).

102 brand new billionaires. All of them (at least the American ones) enjoying gee-dubya's generous tax cuts while the rest of us make up the difference. I'm sure every one of the over 37 Million Americans living below the poverty line are likewise impressed and overjoyed at the great fortune bestowed upon these 102 people. At least the ones who can find the time and energy in their "uniquely American" lives of working 2 or 3 jobs to read the paper or watch the news.

For reference, to help understand "poverty": The Office of Management and Budget at the Census Bureau defined the poverty threshold in 2003 as $18,810 for a family of four; $14,680 for a family of three; $12,015 for a family of two; and $9,393 for an individual. Imagine trying to feed and raise a family of 4 on $19k/year.

102 billionaires make the news, but what about the 37 million poor. Think about that. Ponder it. Roll it around in your head. Thirty Seven Million people living in poverty in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world. How does that make you feel? And a million new ones just last year (in contrast, during the Clinton administration, 4.1 million were lifted out of poverty).

The freaking population of CANADA. Let's put it another way. Imagine everyone living in the states of Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Delaware, Montana, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Maine, Idaho, Nebraseka, West Virginia, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Iowa, Connecticut, and Oregon combined, all living in poverty, all struggling just to put food on their families. That is how many 37 million is. Take out a map and color in those states, and realize that this is the country we live in. These are the people left behind by bush's tax cuts, medicare and medicaid cuts, school lunch, head start, and after school program cuts, pell grant and student loan cuts, etc, etc, etc.

But lest I be misunderstood, I don't hold anything against the billionaires. They could do it, more power to them. I don't begrudge them their wealth, or blame them for becoming rich. I'd do it if I could, and if I was a ruthless sonofabitch. Hell, I'm even happy for them. Of course, I wish they'd share the wealth a bit more and donate shitpiles of money to worthy causes. Come on, there is no way to realistically spend a billion dollars without just blowing 90% of it on shit you don't need, just to show off to the world how insanely rich you are. That's called "vanity" and if I still followed my catholic upbringing (sorry mom) I'd pronounce that that's one of the seven deadly ones and they were all going to hell. But I don't hold their wealth against them

No, I'm not upset about the billionaires. What I am upset about is the vast numner of poor. But even that is not the point of this rant. What really pisses me off is the coverage in the media. It is disgusting, appalling, and reprehensible that there are 37 million people living on mac-and-cheese and dogfood, and what makes the news? 102 more fucking billionaires.

That's just sick.


You know what I say? Eat the rich.