id say percentage of population unable for whatever reason to make a wage that allows them to progress is important, and in no way trivial
the two values being used together means notta as the outcome is the same . . . . under poverty level. the important information in those values is that they represent people and in no way even if used by slimy political PC thugs , should be considered irrelevant to what is wrong with this country
why the lowest income range of people cant get ahead or in this case or not getting ahead is pretty important, having been at poverty level income and getting out of it to just above poverty level i see very little contrast, now i have animals and internet and phone accounts . . but am i really living any better . . nope
costs of living rising and falling should be what is discussed in this thread, cost of basic necessities . . . in other words corporations taking advantage of rising costs of business then when they subside they keep ther prices high, raising the cost of living but avg income for largest percentage of population still doesn't go up . . .
Since you edited and changed your post after I replied to it:
Who in the country doesn't have the ability to make minimum wage for 40 hours a week? Just having kids and working at McDonalds gives you a fat EIC return, so you are above poverty level regardless if you are single and have kids per the government.
The only people who legitimately cannot rise from where they are are people who are completely crippled. If a person can reason, they can overcome their station in life.
If you moved out of poverty and immediately got a pet and internet then that tells you why you don't live better. You could of used that internet and pet money to better yourself. Just like the people who struggle through the year and then get 5 or 6k back at the end of the year, do they take what they have been given and really try to do anything with it? Poverty is a state of mind in the United States, not something that someone else is forcing you to. You do not live in poverty is you have a place to live, AC/Heat, electricity, and Food. There are few people who couldn't get a second job if they chose to. They just lack the will.
I was discussing the cost of living and the prices of things. Look at my opening post and see how many times 'cost of living' is in it. I was discussing it in a scholarly way instead of an emotional rant.