What Cities below poverty level have in common (v, governor, government)

[Sagran]

Originally Posted by floridasandy

who signed NAFTA?

Republican George H. W. Bush signed the agreement.
Republican-lite William Jefferson Clinton....over the objections of a many Democrats and with more Republican support than Democratic.

In the U.S., Bush, who had worked to "fast track" the signing prior to the end of his term, ran out of time and had to pass the required ratification and signing into law to incoming president Bill Clinton. Prior to sending it to the House of Representatives, Clinton introduced clauses intended to protect American workers and allay the concerns of many House representatives. It also required U.S. partners to adhere to environmental practices and regulations similar to its own. The ability to enforce these clauses, especially with Mexico, was considered questionable, and with much consternation and emotional discussion the House of Representatives approved NAFTA on November 17, 1993, by a vote of 234 to 200. Remarkably, the agreement's supporters included 132 Republicans and only 102 Democrats. NAFTA did not get the votes needed to pass as a Treaty in the U.S. Senate. That unusual combination reflected the challenges President Clinton faced in convincing Congress that the controversial piece of legislation would truly benefit all Americans. The agreement was signed into law in the U.S. on December 8, 1993, by President Bill Clinton and went into effect on January 1, 1994.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_A...d_ratification

[Sagran]

Originally Posted by sailordave

Liberal policies towards the homeless help to keep them homeless by making things easier for them to remain homeless.

Think about what you just said. "...making it easier for them to remain homelss." Are you seriously suggesting that sane people are homeless because they want to be and that they like being homeless? (I said "sane" people because some homeless have psychiatric/neurological conditions which result in their choosing to live on the streets for one reason or the other.)

Areas that have high numbers of homeless usually do so because the weather is more hospitable. I'd rather be homeless in LA than Chicago.

[mackinac81]

How do you explain places like Mississippi? It's one of the poorest states in the country, yet staunchly Republican on the state and national level. Going by your logic, the deep South should be one of the most prosperous, most advanced parts of the country by now. There are pockets, but it's nowhere near where New England is at.

The whole idea that a certain political party brings prosperity, while another brings only poverty is silly. Towns, counties and states are more than their elected leaders. They're made up of people. And what the people in town value reflects whether they'll be prosperous or not.

[dramamama6685]

So does anyone know exactly what the income guidelines are for determining the poverty level. Just curios, I'm just north of Cincinnati.

[Sagran]

Originally Posted by dramamama6685

So does anyone know exactly what the income guidelines are for determining the poverty level. Just curios, I'm just north of Cincinnati.

Since that list is from 2006, here's the poverty levels for 2006:
2006 Federal Poverty Guidelines

[Bagger]

Originally Posted by sailordave

You might want to check the homeless population/problem in San Francisco.

There are those who believe the roots of the homeless problem in California go back to Ronald Reagan:

Ronald Reagan: The Bad and the Ugly | The Daily Nugget

"When Ronald Reagan was governor of California he systematically began closing down mental hospitals, later as president he would cut aid for federally-funded community mental health programs. It is not a coincidence that the homeless populations in the state of California grew in the seventies and eighties. The people were put out on the street when mental hospitals started to close all over the state."

Why do Republicans deny that homelessness became a major problem because of the Reagan Administration? | Hospital administration

"Also, he inexplicably closed the mental hospitals which put many mentally ill people out on the streets, of San Francisco and other major cities."

Search Google with Reagan homeless and mental and you'll get plenty of hits.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by KevK

That is all bullcrap because Republicans run very few cities in the country. Maybe you missed this:
Bloomberg has bid farewell to the Republican Party - Los Angeles Times
Tha FACT is that most big city mayors are Democrats even in conservative places like Houston and Dallas which has had several Democrat mayors (although I think Leppert is a Republican). Phoenix and many others. Most municipal elections are non partisan anyway.

Don't forget, this is a 2007 Census.

[GOPATTA2D]

Originally Posted by AnUnidentifiedMale

You have to look at the people who make up the population of the city. Republican mayors and city councils don't cause a population to become wealthy, just as Democratic mayors and city councils don't cause a population to become impoverished.

San Francisco is very liberal and strongly Democratic, but it's also one of the wealthiest and best educated cities in the U.S. There are many other examples of wealthy/well-educated areas that are Democratic.

San Fran is also a financial sector of the West. Despite the outward appearance, bankers and businessman are all Republicans behind closed doors. Been there, seen it.

Peace.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by Bagger

There are those who believe the roots of the homeless problem in California go back to Ronald Reagan:

Ronald Reagan: The Bad and the Ugly | The Daily Nugget

"When Ronald Reagan was governor of California he systematically began closing down mental hospitals, later as president he would cut aid for federally-funded community mental health programs. It is not a coincidence that the homeless populations in the state of California grew in the seventies and eighties. The people were put out on the street when mental hospitals started to close all over the state."

Why do Republicans deny that homelessness became a major problem because of the Reagan Administration? | Hospital administration

"Also, he inexplicably closed the mental hospitals which put many mentally ill people out on the streets, of San Francisco and other major cities."

Search Google with Reagan homeless and mental and you'll get plenty of hits.

State Hospitals(aka Asylums) closed down nationwide causing Homelessness to soar.
The number of patients in mental institutions in the United States was reduced to 100,000 by 1986. The Athens Mental Health Center has emphasized short-term inpatient care since 1976, and refers patients to the Tri- County Mental Health and Counseling Service for out- patient care. By the mid-1970s the long and short-term inpatient population was reduced to 300-400 patients, and by 1987 to around 200.

During the de-institutionalization process, three out of every four patients were released from the Athens Asylum. The relocating trauma was great; patients were released to their families, nursing homes, and half- way houses. The homeless population soared, the mentally ill population representing nearly a third. The state pushed this process along by offering monetary rewards for decreasing the number of in-patients in asylums.

Full history..
The History of Mental Illness.
http://www.kirkbridebuildings.com/buildings/athens/

for those who have an interest in the history.............(former patients forum)
Kirkbride Buildings Forum • View topic - Forgotten Children "Hall-18, Hall-7"

[shorebaby]

Originally Posted by KevK

That is all bullcrap because Republicans run very few cities in the country. Maybe you missed this:
Bloomberg has bid farewell to the Republican Party - Los Angeles Times
Tha FACT is that most big city mayors are Democrats even in conservative places like Houston and Dallas which has had several Democrat mayors (although I think Leppert is a Republican). Phoenix and many others. Most municipal elections are non partisan anyway.

Perhaps you missed this.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg will run as Republican in bid for third term