The Age of Obama, By the Numbers

The Census Bureau reported today that a record 46.5 million Americans are currently living in poverty, more than at any time in our history. That is fewer people, however, than the 23,116,928 households now receiving food stamps, more than the entire Northeastern United States (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania).

Let’s add one more: during President Obama’s first term, median income of American households dropped by $2,627.

Is this what Barack Obama’s supporters expected when they voted for him in 2008? Record poverty, declining incomes, unprecedented numbers depending on federal poverty programs, millions leaving the labor force in despair? Presumably not. Hey, it’s a good thing he’s so adept at foreign policy! No, wait…

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