MEDIAN INCOMES FOR AMERICANS ARE CONTINOUSLY DECREASING,
WHILE THE RICH ARE GETTING RICHER
1999, last updated December 2002

  • The median income of individuals is decreasing.
  • On average, we are working many more hours, and STILL making LESS.
  • The small increase of "Family Income" is only caused by more working mothers!
  • 20% of children in America live in poverty
  • The average income of those making under $100k has been decreasing for 30 years
  • Over the last 20 years, the poorest 1/5 of Americans have gotten 6% poorer.
  • 85% of Americans have not benefited from the last stock market surge.
  • Total taxes on those making less than $80k is highest its been in 30 years.

    Income Data from the U.S. Census Bureau (In 1996 dollars)
    see Census data, Table 4 or Acrobat file

    Per capita income, average income, and GNP increases, all reflect increased profits of the few super rich. Median income is the income where half the population have a higher income, half lower.

    Male median incomes in families (Used to show consistency, as more mothers are working)

    1979

    1983

    1993

    1996

    decrease

    Married-couple with children, males income only

    39,662

    35,186

    35,875

    36,786

    $2,876

    Married-couple, no children,householder less than 40 years old, male income

    30,420

    28,434

    27,690

    30,400

    $20

    Married-couple, no children, householder, 40 to 64 years old, male income

    42,704

    41,210

    40,524

    41,587

    $1,117
    Male median incomes in families have been declining, yet household incomes have increased. This increase is due to the additional income of both parents working.

    Total incomes in families (Affected by increase of working mothers)

    1979

    1983

    1993

    1996

    increase

    Married-couple with children, total income

    47,793

    44,264

    49,274

    51,950

    $4,157

    Married-couple, no children,householder less than 40 years old

    45,480

    44,739

    47,830

    50,830

    $5,350

    Married-couple, no children, householder, 40 to 64 years old

    52,699

    51,183

    55,930

    58,656

    $5,957

    The small household income increase is a result ONLY of working spouses, NOT of higher incomes! Incomes are decreasing.

    Now families are laboring twice as hard for the same money,
    and nobody is raising the children.

    		April 1947March 1998
    Working Mothers with children under 18 years old 18.6 % 72.3 %
    Data from GREEN BOOK, October 6, 2000,
    House of Reps., COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

    Yet, the rich are making out like bandits!

  • Now, the richest 500 people have as much wealth as half the planet.
  • The richest 1% of the people own 1/3 the wealth on the planet
  • In the United States, the richest 4% own more than half the U.S. wealth
  • Control of Congress (lobby money) is controlled by the same richest 4%
  • Total taxes on those making over half a million is its lowest in 30 years.

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