What Do the 10 Poorest US Cities Have in Common?

Off Topic Politics and World Issues
41

[quote]jonathangalinsky wrote:
The poorest states in the union are OVERWHELMINGLY Republican states. If people think poverty has to do with party affiliation they are misguided aside from having no ability to see causation.

/thread.

p.s. The poorest populations in America are rural whites not urban blacks. Don’t take my word for it; the census shows this.

now /thread.
[/quote]

This is true. I grew up in Appalachia and the cities and counties near my hometown are some of the poorest in America. I saw people living in third world conditions in some places. This goes again to what I said the 10 poorest cities have in common, lack of jobs and people that are unwilling to do anything about it.

42

[quote]BBriere wrote:

[quote]jonathangalinsky wrote:
The poorest states in the union are OVERWHELMINGLY Republican states. If people think poverty has to do with party affiliation they are misguided aside from having no ability to see causation.

/thread.

p.s. The poorest populations in America are rural whites not urban blacks. Don’t take my word for it; the census shows this.

now /thread.
[/quote]

This is true. I grew up in Appalachia and the cities and counties near my hometown are some of the poorest in America. I saw people living in third world conditions in some places. This goes again to what I said the 10 poorest cities have in common, lack of jobs and people that are unwilling to do anything about it.
[/quote]

That’s interesting briere. I saw a diane sawyer documentary about appalachia - have you seen it and is it accurate? Although I see your point about not doing anything about their situation, growing up in a drug infested, physically and emotionally abusive environment is probably pretty toxic and, I would imagine, is inherited and passed on.

43

Appalachia is pretty poor and rural. My family has friends out in Altoona PA, probably means nothing to most people. You mine coal, and thats about it. A friend of ours was a self employed contractor, fell off a roof and nows lives on disability. His wife makes 9 an hour working at an old folks home and supports them both. Her first husband died in the coal mines. Theres alot less mobility in the rural Appalachin poverty than urban environments. Hard work is the norm, usually physically laborious. Generally, people are very nice and dont complain about a damn thing and dont ask for anything either. They will give you the shirts off their backs but a great majority are poor as churchmice.

44

I haven’t seen the special, but I can tell you what I have observed. I grew up in southeastern Tennessee and had family that lived all around eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. This area is speckled with many small, rural towns. Most that work drive long distances to bigger cities where they may work in factories or maybe as drivers. Often the largest employers in the towns themselves are grocery stores, fast food restaurants, or there may be something like a coal mine though most have been closed. Many other people make livings doing handy work and odd jobs. Some live in houses though many live in trailers.

Some do not even have a working telephone, most have no heat or air, and some do not even have electricity or running water. For the most part, most are simple, country people that are friendly but refuse to leave an area where there is simply no economic growth. Unlike those that live in the inner city, most rural people do not receive any form of government services and there is definitely no desire to “revitalize” these areas. In some places you will find drugs and petty crimes, but they are by no means unsafe places to live. Usually, the people that live there are products of generational poverty that do not want to live the comfort zone of an area that their family has always known.

45

briere, that sounds rough and I automatically respect anyone who has to go through that, but there is a pervasive flaw in what people are saying here, which I thought I addressed in my previous post. it is a MYTH, and frankly, a racist one that people in the inner city are the primary recipients of government aid. Southern, rural and suburban whites are the main recipients and the cencus figures bear this out. In other words, southern republican states mooch off the federal government the most. Before you respond, please check out this table Tax Foundation

46

I’m sure you’re right about the rural poor. I’m not sure about the suburban whites, but I won’t argue. I personally saw rural whites receiving food stamps and unemployment. When you look at overall government services I think those in the inner city have to receive more whether they be minority or not. Consider things such as buses, rec centers, libraries, health clinics, child care programs, pre schools, etc. Most were not offered in rural areas around where I grew up, but they were offered in the cities. That’s no criticism against minorities. The urban dwellers typically have much higher employment rates as they are exposed to more job opportunities. The myth is trying to some made up statistics that those who live in poverty, whether it be in urban or rural settings, are there because of some social injustice that keeps the poor in poverty.

47

[quote]pittbulll wrote:
I am surprised Flint Mich did not make that list[/quote]

Not enough population.

48

[quote]666Rich wrote:
Some good points by everyone. I am suprised to not see baltimore on that list, but maybe its because I watched the Wire…

I am a pittsburgh native so I can relate to the steel industry comment. I dont quite believe it was Reagans fault though. At least here the Industry was going under in the 70’s, and this is and was US Steels HQ. Id say it was half the unions and half the governments fault, which predates Reagan. The union similar to the detroit big 3 repeatedly harmed their own global competitiveness by demanding more concessions without increases in efficiancy. Now there was a certain technology , some sort of rolling mechanism that would have greatly enhanced the productivity, and US steel asked for a loan from the government, but did not get it. Then steel industry goes… ironic where we are sitting years later. The steel industry could still be thriving in this country due to our resources. Though if anyone has good literature or informative material on this situation I would greatly appreciate it whether or not you agree with me.

I think its pretty safe to say that city populations tend to vote more democrat, though whether its cause and effect is debateable. However I do think NYC is a good example under Guilliani/Bloomberg despite the formers personel shortcomings.[/quote]

This. Samething happened to the steel industry here in Birmingham. Unions kept getting their demands met and then the industry couldn’t compete. Its the nature of the beast, if you keep getting what you ask for you keep asking for more, no matter how unreasonable you get.

49

Well, said. My dad lives in an industrial town in Illinois. Most of the factories have closed within the last 5-10 years. Usually, the factory owners asked workers to take 10% pay cuts, typically from $20/hr or more jobs, which they voted against. He always describes it as refusing a 10% pay decrease and getting a 100% pay decrease. Mitt Romney caught flack for telling the people of Ohio that the industry jobs weren’t coming back, but at least he had the balls to speak the truth.

50

guys- the graph i sent out in my last post shows federal spending per dollar of federal taxes. no one knows about these statistics because the easiest way to lose an election is to tell people to look at numbers. if you don’t choose to recognize them it’s because the truth offends your politics.

51

[quote]jonathangalinsky wrote:
briere, that sounds rough and I automatically respect anyone who has to go through that, but there is a pervasive flaw in what people are saying here, which I thought I addressed in my previous post. it is a MYTH, and frankly, a racist one that people in the inner city are the primary recipients of government aid. Southern, rural and suburban whites are the main recipients and the cencus figures bear this out. In other words, southern republican states mooch off the federal government the most. Before you respond, please check out this table Tax Foundation [/quote]

[quote]jonathangalinsky wrote:
guys- the graph i sent out in my last post shows federal spending per dollar of federal taxes. no one knows about these statistics because the easiest way to lose an election is to tell people to look at numbers. if you don’t choose to recognize them it’s because the truth offends your politics. [/quote]

The chart does not give any figures for government aid. The figures are total spending, which includes purchases of goods and services from the private sector, salaries of Federal employees, and “entitlements” such as Social Security which in many cases cannot be counted as mooching but rather as a poor return on monies paid in.

52

Why is Detroit in Ruins?

53

Im black and ill be the first to say…poverty doesnt cause crime! If that was the case, West Virginia, being one of the poorest states in the nation, would be the most dangerous but West Virginia is mostly white and has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Its a problem we blacks must deal with.

Every one of the cities on that list are majority black and when whites lived in the cities before they flocked to the suburbs the cities were in much better condition. If poverty caused crime, black athletes and rappers, some of who come from poor backgrounds would suddenly stop committing crime once they get that million dollar contract, because at that point, theyre no longer poor. Yet we see multimillionaire black rappers and athletes still committing crimes.

We see the same pattern in Africa and the caribbean. When whites occupied the countries they at least had electricity, running water, and food, which the people they colonized benefited from as well. As a race, we are at fault for alot of our own downfalls. Alot of whites are scared to point this out for fear of being labeled racist, so they give us black folks an excuse by saying we’re poor thats why we shoot each other over cell phones.

54

i’m gonna assume that you’re joking, clip, as nearly everything you said after the ellipses was wrong.

55

Ohio looks REALLY bad. You guys don’t even get to hear about Akron, Youngstown, and other places around here. My city Toledo, is right in the middle of Cleveland and Detroit. Fucking Hell here.

56

when I see that list

I’m seeing a different trend. it has nothing to do with minorities or political stripes. The factors age and industry.

nothing is going on in Mich and Ohio, meaning the things that made our states great are dead or dying

the death leads to migration to southern states for retirement (Miami) this leaves young workers to prop up economy…not good even further, it leaves poor elderly in the cities jobless…so of course, jobless old+newbie employees = poor city

that’s just my view of Ohio, from my experience

I’m guessing its the same for each situation you list here

57

[quote]Ct. Rockula wrote:
Ohio looks REALLY bad. You guys don’t even get to hear about Akron, Youngstown, and other places around here. My city Toledo, is right in the middle of Cleveland and Detroit. Fucking Hell here.[/quote]

I lived in Youngstown area from the late 50s to early 80s, Ronald Reagan should have been shot for what he did to the Steel Valley. When I hear Republicans sing his praises, I can not believe it. They must have been totally unaware of how opening the door to steel imports cost millions of high paying jobs and vast areas of unemployed zones, mostly uneducated men.That is what we used to call the middle class. Now you are working on 2 generations of men that have never made enough to support a family. FUCK Ronald Reagan

58

[quote]clip11 wrote:
Im black and ill be the first to say…poverty doesnt cause crime! If that was the case, West Virginia, being one of the poorest states in the nation, would be the most dangerous but West Virginia is mostly white and has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Its a problem we blacks must deal with.

Every one of the cities on that list are majority black and when whites lived in the cities before they flocked to the suburbs the cities were in much better condition. If poverty caused crime, black athletes and rappers, some of who come from poor backgrounds would suddenly stop committing crime once they get that million dollar contract, because at that point, theyre no longer poor. Yet we see multimillionaire black rappers and athletes still committing crimes.

We see the same pattern in Africa and the caribbean. When whites occupied the countries they at least had electricity, running water, and food, which the people they colonized benefited from as well. As a race, we are at fault for alot of our own downfalls. Alot of whites are scared to point this out for fear of being labeled racist, so they give us black folks an excuse by saying we’re poor thats why we shoot each other over cell phones.[/quote]

I agree and basically this is an issue that can only be worked out if there is an honest dialogue and communication. I believe that not Poverty but lack of Education causes this. The culture of not being educated has to be ended in the black communities first and foremost.

I feel like always saying that there is a reason other then the individual him or herself to blame for their shortcoming is guaranteed to keep that person from ever succeeding. The root cause is never addressed and it’s all quick fixes and a patch on top of patch on top of patch.

59

[quote]Gregus wrote:

[quote]clip11 wrote:
Im black and ill be the first to say…poverty doesnt cause crime! If that was the case, West Virginia, being one of the poorest states in the nation, would be the most dangerous but West Virginia is mostly white and has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Its a problem we blacks must deal with.

Every one of the cities on that list are majority black and when whites lived in the cities before they flocked to the suburbs the cities were in much better condition. If poverty caused crime, black athletes and rappers, some of who come from poor backgrounds would suddenly stop committing crime once they get that million dollar contract, because at that point, theyre no longer poor. Yet we see multimillionaire black rappers and athletes still committing crimes.

We see the same pattern in Africa and the caribbean. When whites occupied the countries they at least had electricity, running water, and food, which the people they colonized benefited from as well. As a race, we are at fault for alot of our own downfalls. Alot of whites are scared to point this out for fear of being labeled racist, so they give us black folks an excuse by saying we’re poor thats why we shoot each other over cell phones.[/quote]

I agree and basically this is an issue that can only be worked out if there is an honest dialogue and communication. I believe that not Poverty but lack of Education causes this. The culture of not being educated has to be ended in the black communities first and foremost.

I feel like always saying that there is a reason other then the individual him or herself to blame for their shortcoming is guaranteed to keep that person from ever succeeding. The root cause is never addressed and it’s all quick fixes and a patch on top of patch on top of patch. [/quote]

Malcolm X once said that problems of race can only be solved when the black man and white man can come to the table and say whats on their mind without worrying about hurting the others feelings. Then and only then can there be progress. Too many whites are afraid of offending and being called racist so they make up excuses for behavior. “Jamal killed another teen over an argument over a coat because he’s poor and didnt have a father ion the home…” So being poor and no father made him kill…thats comparing apples and oranges.

60

[quote]clip11 wrote:

[quote]Gregus wrote:

[quote]clip11 wrote:
Im black and ill be the first to say…poverty doesnt cause crime! If that was the case, West Virginia, being one of the poorest states in the nation, would be the most dangerous but West Virginia is mostly white and has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Its a problem we blacks must deal with.

Every one of the cities on that list are majority black and when whites lived in the cities before they flocked to the suburbs the cities were in much better condition. If poverty caused crime, black athletes and rappers, some of who come from poor backgrounds would suddenly stop committing crime once they get that million dollar contract, because at that point, theyre no longer poor. Yet we see multimillionaire black rappers and athletes still committing crimes.

We see the same pattern in Africa and the caribbean. When whites occupied the countries they at least had electricity, running water, and food, which the people they colonized benefited from as well. As a race, we are at fault for alot of our own downfalls. Alot of whites are scared to point this out for fear of being labeled racist, so they give us black folks an excuse by saying we’re poor thats why we shoot each other over cell phones.[/quote]

I agree and basically this is an issue that can only be worked out if there is an honest dialogue and communication. I believe that not Poverty but lack of Education causes this. The culture of not being educated has to be ended in the black communities first and foremost.

I feel like always saying that there is a reason other then the individual him or herself to blame for their shortcoming is guaranteed to keep that person from ever succeeding. The root cause is never addressed and it’s all quick fixes and a patch on top of patch on top of patch. [/quote]

Malcolm X once said that problems of race can only be solved when the black man and white man can come to the table and say whats on their mind without worrying about hurting the others feelings. Then and only then can there be progress. Too many whites are afraid of offending and being called racist so they make up excuses for behavior. “Jamal killed another teen over an argument over a coat because he’s poor and didnt have a father ion the home…” So being poor and no father made him kill…thats comparing apples and oranges.[/quote]

True Dat. I just don’t see why we can’t all be getting along now. All this pushing of equality and sameness is tiring. Not everyone is the same, not everyone is equal. We need to SEE the differences. We need to like and appreciate the differences. Not try to erase them and make everyone think were the same. Noone wants to feel were all the same.

In other words today it can be said that if i were to date a black girl and was attracted to the fact that she is black i might be a racist or racial. But who’s to say that it’s wrong for me to enjoy this person because of what they are? Why can;t i like the difference, revel in it, talk about it and be passionate about it.

Is it only OK to date a black woman as long as i pretend to not notice she is black?

We need open communication but i actually find white people being the ones that are difficult in this. I’ve had nothing but the best of discussions about race with Black Dudes and Girls. Sometimes heated other times not. Either way i was always the only 1 to 2 white people to engage a large black dude on anything from reparations to racism. For this i was always respected despite being shunned by most white people but liked by black people.

I feel a vibe between myself and Black people. I don’t know why, it may just be a human thing or it could be us both being descendants of Slaves and I’m white :slight_smile: