Category Archives: Income

May 12, 2014 · 5:57 pm

Assignment 7: The Idea

 

Upon reading an article called As The Income Gap Widens New York Grows Apart I realized how well it correlated with my blog on food insecurity. The article is written by a James Parrott (Deputy Director and chief economist of the Fiscal Policy Institute) and he addresses an issue that is not only effecting NYC, but also the rest of the nation. In this article the income disparities in New York City is expose and broken down in a way that is easy for some to understand, but difficult to accept. So when I found out the severity of food insecurity in American I couldn’t help but link the two topics together.  Making New York City the prime example of severe income disparities and inefficient government interference.

What makes this article unique is the actual financial evidences it presents. This evidences helps us understand the severity of the income disparities in America with emphasis in New York City.  With such an unbalance distribution of income, New Yorkers living in poverty suffer from other secondary issues that stem from the disparities of income. Among these secondary issues I feel that food insecurity is just one of many issues created by the polarization of income in the U.S. but more so in New York City.

Source: Juanita But, Mark Noonan, Sean Scanlan (2007) The Place Where We Dwell; Reading and Writing of New York City, PG180, As The Income Gap Widens

 

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· 11:46 am

Effects of New York’s Income disparities 4 of 4

All in all the effects of income getting funneled to the top 1 percent while the lower class struggles is a conundrum in itself.  Federal and State government addresses the financial strain that some government funded programs produce, but always seems to leave out the bigger issue.  Our health, moral, and civic amenities needs just as much improvement.  The City of New York is a prime example of greed; not just on a corporate level, but greed on an individual level. As of 2007 the population of New York reached 8.3 million people. These numbers speak for themselves; 90,000 residents equaling to 34,500 household make exactly 3.7 million dollars a year (that’s exactly 7.7% of NYC population).  While 27.6 % of New Yorker live in deep poverty; all of whom could be easily be consider food insecure. With the top 1% receiving so much income it has become nearly impossible for those living in poverty to maintain a healthy diet.   With numbers like these it only makes sense for congress to pass bills like the Farm Bill.  To help those household receiving monthly food stamps sustain a healthy diet at a low cost.  Help the local economy and promote better eating habits which will also create healthier Americans.

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· 10:30 am

Effects of New York’s Income disparities 3 of 4

In addition to these disturbing facts there are also accompanied with some other alarming statistics.  The Parrott points out that the 90,000 people that represent New York City’s one percent have an average household income of $3.7 million dollars.  While at the same time there are 900,000 residents of New York City that are consider to be in deep poverty. For a family of four living in deep poverty that translate to about $10,500 a year.  He also reports the average income for a household in New York City is below $30,000 a year while the top one percent makes about $10,137 a day. Making New York State and New York City the most “polarized” within the 50 States and 25 major cities across America.  With the presented information Parrott attempts to sort the disparity in income in America between inflation, the need for a higher skilled workforce, and political incentive.  It is evident with the information given that your income can and will determine how well you can feed and care for your family.

Source: Juanita But, Mark Noonan, Sean Scanlan (2007) The Place Where We Dwell; Reading and Writing of New York City, PG180, As The Income Gap Widens written by James Parrott

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· 10:20 am

Effects of New York’s Income disparities 2 of 4

 

Going back to the post-war era the United States economy was steadily climbing.  The middle class grew and those living in poverty where able to work their way out creating better lives for themselves and their families. It was a good time for everyone even the top one percent reap the benefits with gains in theirs markets.  This was the case for many Americans until the 80’s when something change.  Between 1980 and 1990 the top one percent national average income was a steady 12%.  In New York City it Jump from the national 12% to 20% all within the same decade. By 1990 New York City was creating the beginning of what yet to come.  Entering 1990 there was no end in sight by the end of the decade the top one percent’s gross income reached a staggering 35%.  After idling on the top due to a recession the top one percent’s gross income in New York City double the national high of 23.5% and by 2007 their shared gross income was at 44%. With the top 1 percent receiving 44% of the income in the U.S. they’re leaving those families living in deep poverty to rely on the systems food benefit programs. Although they will be receiving monthly food stamps, they’re force to purchase high sodium and Trans fat foods that only creates secondary long term health conditions like obesity and diabetes.

Source: Juanita But, Mark Noonan, Sean Scanlan (2007) The Place Where We Dwell; Reading and Writing of New York City, PG180, As The Income Gap Widens

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