All of your numbers are coming up craps, Mr. Bush. But they will probably let you keep the ranch--you might have to take in some boarders, though, on the cheap.
Sept. 26 — In a report that offered fresh ammunition to critics of President Bush’s economic policy, the government said Friday that the nation’s median income fell nearly $500 in 2002 and the poverty rate climbed for a second straight year.
THE CENSUS BUREAU REPORTED that 34.6 million people, or 12.1 percent of the population, were living in poverty, up from 32.9 million people or 11.7 percent in 2001, when the economy fell into recession after a decade of growth. The median household income, when adjusted for inflation, fell 1.1 percent to $42,409, according to the bureau, which released two comprehensive annual reports looking at poverty and income in America.
"These estimates reflect the effect of the recession that began in March 2001 and ended in November 2001," said Daniel Weinberg, chief of the Census Bureau division that produced the report. He noted that median household income has fallen 3.4 percent since 1999, after adjusting for inflation, statistically the same as in the 1989-92 period, which followed the 1990-91 recession.
Deja vu all over again; ask Pappy what the deal is, Junior.
