|
AMERICA'S BROKEN PROMISE Two sets of rules mean ordinary citizens pay the price for prosperity enjoyed by the few: Since 2000, the U.S poverty count has grown by more that 5 million to a total of 37 million residents. Of that number, 13 million are children. In New York state, 900,000 men, women and children rely on food programs each week.[See citations below.] In the same five years, America‘s billionaire club has grown by 76. The wealth of the Forbes 400 totals $1.1 trillion, larger than the GDP of Canada. “We want to see injustice clearly, the way Jesus did. We want to be awakened from our apathy and enraged by injustice, as Jesus was. “ -National Council of Churches Income for America’s families has fallen five years in a row even though workers are more productive, giving their employers 15% more output per hour. Only the top 5% of U.S. households saw an increase in their income; nearly everyone else saw less money for more work. Since 2000, corporate profits have increased five times faster than wages while the average earnings ratio of CEO to worker is now 431 to 1. In the midst of winter weather warnings, the U.S. Government gave $7 billion in tax breaks to the largest energy companies, including Exxon-Mobil which enjoys profits of $75,000 every minute. “He who withholds an employee’s wages is as though he deprived him of his life.” -Talmud Farmworkers in our state earn, on average, $7 an hour, with no overtime pay. They have no right to a day of rest or to form a union with collective bargaining protection. Hard labor, hazardous equipment and pesticide exposure make farm work one of the most dangerous U.S. occupations. New York state provides over $300 million per year in tax advantages to agri-business. Included in that amount are $68 million per year for farm production and commercial horse boarding: $7 million for utilities; $25 million for farmers’ school/property tax credit. “Is this not the fast that I choose …to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house?” -Isaiah 58:6-7 Some 3.5 million people, one-third of them children, experience homelessness each year in our country. The U.S. Conference of Mayors reports that in no state does the minimum wage allow for rental of a one or two bedroom apartment. In contrast to this is the mortgage interest tax entitlement. For every dollar spent on low income housing programs, the federal treasury loses four dollars in mortgage tax relief, 75% of which benefits households in the top 5th of income distribution. “A Church that doesn’t provoke any crisis…A Gospel that doesn’t get under anyone’s skin…A Word of God that doesn’t touch the real sin of the society in which it is proclaimed…What Gospel is that?” Sources for data and information Listed below are the primary source citations for information presented in the FAST 2006 brochure. While these represent the main sources utilized, many additional sources are available presenting similar information, especially regarding US poverty rates, tax cuts and their effects on social programs and inreasing disparity of wealth in the US. Since 2000, the U.S. poverty count... In the same five years... Income for America's families... Since 2000, corporate profits... Farmworkers in our state... New York State provides over $300 million... Some 3.5 million people...experience homelessness... In contrast to this is the mortgage interest tax entitlement...
Last Updated:02/06/06 |