US Politics: Despite Occupy and Arab Spring, Washington remained in gridlock - by Arriana Huffington

Though the Occupy movement started only three months ago, the inspiration for the movement began in the waning days of 2010. On Dec. 17 of that year, a 26-year-old fruit vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in the Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid to protest the ongoing harassment and mistreatment by corrupt government officials. His fiery protest - and his death 18 days afterward - later sparked a revolution.

And on Sept. 17, a few hundred US activists gathered at a little-known park in the Financial District of New York City called Zuccotti Park. But instead of becoming a one-off item buried deep in a news roundup, the protesters stayed. As their numbers grew, so did their influence. The movement spread far outside the park - to Oakland, to San Francisco, to Atlanta, to Chicago, and to Washington.

The latest data released by the Census Bureau puts the spotlight on some of these problems: nearly half of all Americans are either living in poverty or classified as low income. More than 97 million are in the latter category, while nearly 50 million are living below the poverty line. This total of 146 million is 4 million more than just two years ago.

And though the media will continue to be sidetracked by the Beltway sideshow, a national conversation about the real issues finally began to take root at the end of 2011. For example, the phrase "income inequality" was used fewer than 91 times in the media the week before the Occupy movement started, but got nearly 500 mentions the second week in November. And this month, Fred Shapiro, the associate librarian at Yale Law School, came out with his sixth annual list of the most notable political quotes of the year. Topping the list for 2011: "We are the 99 percent."

For more: Occupy Arab Spring Washington gridlock: Despite Occupy and Arab Spring, Washington remained in gridlock - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

USA: While Wall Street Parties - Extreme Poverty Is Now at Record Levels -- 19 Statistics About the Poor That Will Absolutely Astound You

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a higher percentage of Americans is living in extreme poverty than they have ever measured before. In 2010, we were told that the economy was recovering, but the truth is that the number of the "very poor" soared to heights never seen previously. Back in 1993 and back in 2009, the rate of extreme poverty was just over 6 percent, and that represented the worst numbers on record. But in 2010, the rate of extreme poverty hit a whopping 6.7 percent. That means that one out of every 15 Americans is now considered to be "very poor".

For more: Extreme Poverty Is Now at Record Levels -- 19 Statistics About the Poor That Will Absolutely Astound You | | AlterNet

US Economic meltdown:: Poverty rate in US climbs to 27-year high with 1 in 6 Americans officially poor

The number of Americans in poverty has jumped to an incredible 27-year high, with almost one in six people now falling into the bracket.More than 46 million people, or 15 per cent, are in poverty - which is up from 44 million, or 14 per cent, in 2009, the US Census Bureau said.

The number of people lacking health insurance increased to 50 million, which is a new high after revisions were made to 2009 figures. Losses were due mostly to working-age Americans who lost employer-provided insurance in the weak economy. Main provisions of the health overhaul do not take effect until 2014.

The median household income was $49,445, a 2.3 per cent fall from 2009. The 46.2 million people in poverty in 2010 represents the largest number in 52 years since estimates began. The U.S. poverty rate is only lower than three countries in 34 tracked by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in France.

For more: US poverty rate climbs to 27-year high with 1 in 6 Americans officially poor | Mail Online