"Economic Recession Lingers"

This from "Financial Armageddon" - follow link to original.

So, hows this wonderful recovery coming? Dp you think "austerity" for what's left of the middle class and the working poor is really the answer? Do you think cutting Social Security, and starving mom & dad, or other senior citizens is the answer? How about cutting medicare? How many will have to die on the streets before folks notice?

Is this still The United States of America?

Remember: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Where does it say we have to starve our people? How does this austerity "promote the general welfare"?
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"Economic Recession Lingers at Salvation Army Food Programs"

94 Percent Report Increased Demand for Assistance as Charitable Donations Stagnate

Despite officially ending in June 2009, the economic recession is having a lasting impact on people across the country, according to a new report released by The Salvation Army [yesterday]. According to a survey conducted in the fourth quarter of 2010, a majority of Salvation Army food service programs in both rural and metropolitan areas such as Detroit, Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco and Denver reported increases in requests for food assistance as more people are turning to social service agencies. Programs including food banks, food pantries, street ministries and homeless shelters run by the Army also reported that donations mostly remained flat or even decreased in areas during the past 12 months.

"Individuals and young families throughout America have been forced to make a hard choice month after month – should they pay their utility bills or pay for groceries? Unfortunately, there is no right answer," said Commissioner William Roberts, National Commander for The Salvation Army. "What's left when these choices are made, are continued hardships that no family should go through when so much is on the line."

Salvation Army food programs nationwide have seen an increase in new clients, ranging from middle class families to the working poor, as well as younger generations looking for work according to the report, "Feeding the Need 2011."As a result, Salvation Army programs have been forced to stretch donations even further as overall funding to the Army fell 8.4 percent in 2009. Key findings from the report include:

* 94 percent of Salvation Army food service programs reported an increase in requests for food assistance in 2010.
* Nearly two-thirds of programs saw an increase in demand of 15 percent or more.
* Nearly 60 percent of Salvation Army programs saw donations remain flat or decline from all funding sources, including government, public and private sources.
* Of food programs surveyed, 55 percent reported that their shelves were half-full or less