You're supposed to add, then subtract.

Hello. Are you guys with the calculators listening? I have a problem with all of these government statistics laying figures on the line for the poverty range in this country. I don't understand their reasoning.

For instance: if say the poverty level starts at $10,000 anyone over that amount is not entitled to government assistance whereas in Iraq it's 'oh hell, just line up for the checks. Uncle Sam loves you'.

Listen, Uncle. You're not taking expenditures into account. Remember that word? I took two years of accounting in college and can't understand why it's being left out. You see, if you don't count the cost of mortgages/rents, phone bills, car payments, car insurance, life insurance, health insurance, electric bills, heating costs and all of the rest of the expenditures that allow us to live at least halfway like human beings, you're not counting right.

I'm aware that at least the Medicaid system in this country allows income vs expenditures but they seem to be the only government organization that's with it. In other words that deals with reality. Retired seniors now wrestling with that HUGE benefit called Part D that's supposed to help with prescription coverage find that it isn't working. Too many seniors are left out of the government assistance programs that help supplement payments and deductibles because their income alone is considered. What's with that?

Seniors have expenses too. Just because you get on in years doesn't mean your bills disappear. Gas and electric companies don't look at your age and say, "Well, they're over 65. Time for some freebies." However, since most legislatures are not on Social Security when they retire these assistance shortages don't mean a thing to them.

Have you heard any of the recent boys/girls running for office mention an overhaul in the system? I have. Just one. But he doesn't live in Vermont so I can't vote for him. However, my point is: when will the upper echelon of losers who run this country finally decide it's time to help our people for a change? I hope they know that if citizens start dying off due to malnutrition, lack of proper medications and/or freezing to death in winter, they'll still have a country to run, but no one to run it for. Plus, without taxpayers, their own incomes will begin to fall short; they'll have to start sacrificing as we do. Gasp. Choke. Perish the thought.

A little drama there in hopes they soon wake up.