" Yes...let's just make the minimum wage $15/hour...that way, when all the people who worked hard just to get to that level see their minimum skill/minimum effort counterparts making just as much as they do, they can know in their minds that their hard work really meant a lot. "

" for a select few! "

" We're not importing poverty, are we? "

" I'm one of the few who are poorer this year. "

" Maybe those on welfare and getting handouts should get a job and go to work? Oh wait, the Democrats NEED you to be on welfare, nevermind... "

" I hate to tell you this but there have always been people who live in poverty and there always will be. The government can't bail out everyone who has come upon hard times. "

" Nebraska is the poverty state, far from the "good life". My parents
died with little of nothing as well as 99.9999% in their community. My
parents never once took a vacation and went anywhere. I use to take
vacations and enjoy life and always had a little left over each month
until I had to move back to NE. and help my siblings that once had good
jobs and saved for retirement, but Nebraska is whittling them and me down
to poverty!!! I left when I was young and know other states don't take
ya for all your worth. They are for their citizens, not for their little
clicky govt. with the found pot of millions here and there!!! Nebraska
just plains rapes its citizens. I doubt the Appleseed even saw or figured
out the minute scope of the picture. Most Nebraskans stuck here don't!!
Nor can you tell the bullheaded anything or do they care to know as long
as the greedy few live their "good life." "

" Nebraska is the third world country right in the center of the United States. I guess that makes it a third world state.Explains why all thinking is centered around taxes and money. "

" I remember poor people when I grew up (I'm only 38) that didn't have any telephones or have a TV and never went out to eat and - guess what - they figured out a way to make ends meet and I generall didn't hear them thinking that the government had to make their lives any easier. Now - I know "poor" people that have cell phones, not just for themselves but for all of their kids, I see them at McDonald's (not a cheap place to eat anymore!), they have cable and three TVs and movie channels and they STILL want the government to give them more ---- As we become more affluent as a soceity as a whole - they always say the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I think the poor are getting a lot richer, but the rich are getting richer because of hard work, because they have a marketable skill. For example our company is hiring engineers for $50k/year right out of college and can't find ANY. If you want to WORK and can't do math or afford to go to four year college, go to a two year training to be an electric lineman or learn to be a welder, those jobs pay more than $20/hour with a lot of overtime! But you don't get to sit in a cushy office. Hard work will trump sitting around any day so that's why they get richer. Just because they get richer faster doesn't mean the poor are getting poorer. Of course, the poverty lobby can't get donations if they say "The poor are getting richer...." I'd just LOVE to have the Journal Star do an objective story on poverty and compare today to - say - 1930. Cable tv, running water and a cell phone aren't God given rights. What was the quote - PJ Rourke I think said it - "You can't solve poverty by just giving poor people money...." PS To the person who is going to say I'm not working hard right now because I'm surfing the net... so are you. "

" Both the article (AP) and the group neglected to point out that this poverty rate of 11.2% is WELL below the national average. However, if that fact were reported, no one would pay attention to the 'policies' being advocated! "

" Have you ever been to a third world country? As someone who has, I can guarantee you there is absolutely no comparison. We are still better than the national average. "

" voting GOP for the last 100 years here. so what do you expect? "

" A recent study showed that Americans have lost their ability to even define affluent. People below the poverty level often have cell phones, cars, cable television, and many amenities. We also have free health care, free well fare checks, and subsidized housing when we are living "in poverty." If America wants to actually wake up to the reality to poverty, get a global world view, see what is going on in Suday and Uganda and hundreds of other places. Then you will realize how blessed we are and how unthankful and lazy we are. For "Well" if the good life here is so bad, go back to where you lived before. I am living pay check to paycheck, but the cost of living here is a fractin of what I paid in Colorado. The people are friendlier, the health care is better, and it truly is a great life. I am blessed and refuse to throw a pity in Nebraska!! "

" I only favor government action if it will increase poverty. "

" Poverty in the USA is basic cable. If you don't have enough, work harder! Don't try to take away from those who do work for their money. Funds expropriated from one person to give to another is stolen money. Doesn't matter if the thief is wearing a mask or carrying a governemnt issued badge. "

" Nebraska is one of the low pay, no benefits States in the Nation. The primary reason University graduates leave Nebraska as soon as they can is because of the 'low, low', wages, poor health , and or poor benefit packages offered with the available jobs. The winters are terrible, the living conditions are sub standard. The future for someone starting out is bleak. Who in there right mind would stay here paying the extremely high income and property tax Nebraska has. Look at vehicle registration as an example. Get real, Nebraska is a no where to go state. Move out as soon as you can and dont look back. "

" nothing exposes the true colors of our "christian" society more than discussing poverty. i guess when it comes down to it, the almighty dollar reigns as our true god... "forget about helping the homeless and downtrodden", sayeth jesus, "they're just lazy anyway... caesar - now THERE'S a hard worker!... just look at his wealth! we should all aspire to be like him!" "

" " I only favor government action if it will increase poverty. " That's the spirit - Go McCain! "