Sorry, but your statement seems to be using some of Al Gore's Fuzzy Math.

 

Your statement is only true if you assume two things:

 

1) That each county within Kentucky has an equal population

 

2) That all of the residents within that county live in poverty.

 

Obviously Jefferson and Fayette counties offset several other counites from a population standpoint. Furthermore of your 42 impoverished counties, only 1 of them (Owsley) has a poverty rate above 35%. Therefore the amount of Kentuckians who live in poverty is far fewer than you are suggesting.

 

 

I'm sorry, I should have worded it this way:

 

~35% of Kentucky Counties have 20% or greater citizens living in poverty .

Sorry, but your statement seems to be using some of Al Gore's Fuzzy Math.

 

Your statement is only true if you assume two things:

 

1) That each county within Kentucky has an equal population

 

2) That all of the residents within that county live in poverty.

 

Obviously Jefferson and Fayette counties offset several other counites from a population standpoint. Furthermore of your 42 impoverished counties, only 1 of them (Owsley) has a poverty rate above 35%. Therefore the amount of Kentuckians who live in poverty is far fewer than you are suggesting.

 

For the record, I wasn't trying to suggest anything. I was trying to supply some interesting facts. Obviously I misstated one figure, but it wasn't intentional. Mea Culpa!:creepy:

Here's what I know from what I've read and what I've seen:

 

Poor

Not many jobs

Lower priority on education that other areas (as a whole - not individually)

Generations after generations of poverty

Waiting for someone to figure out how to fix the problem

Beautiful area of the state

Richie Farmer is a hero.

 

 

Does that about cover it?

 

Educate us northerners on the solution to this sad situation.

 

Well, you got one right...:lol: Which sad situation are you wanting a solution to? Ignorant stereotyping by outsiders?

Sorry if my correction seemed harsh. I knew what you did to come up with the 35% figure, but that error did cause a gross misrepresentation of the actual figure. I guess using your link and census data of the actual county populations once could easily (but not quickly) figure the actual % of Kentuckians living in poverty. But I'm not that bored yet. I may even try to actually do some work today.

I appreciate the figures Rockmom, but for those who live here day by day we see some things that stats don't show and how they can be skewed. For example, one of the counties you mentioned has a 25% poverty rate. I would strongly speculate that number is misleading because a pretty good number of it's citizens claim no income (to avoid taxes and recieve entitlements) while making a living selling drugs or alcohol, rebuilding wrecked cars for resale, growing pot, operating illegal mines, working the flea markets, or any number of such activities. We have over the past couple of generations developed a class of people who have become amazingly adept at finding ways to beat the system, be it legal or not.

If you study the history of Eastern Kentucky, you can see that Pepper II is correct about the mineral rights. Most of those who settled that area of Kentucky and Tennessee were Revolutionary War veterans and their families who moved West. The young nation was poor in money but rich in land for the veterans. As a family researcher, I have found over 20 of my ancestors so far who were veterans of the Revolutionary War, and I am not unique.

 

My grandfather worked for a coal mine in Harlan County, was paid in script that was good only at the company store, and lived in what my grandmother called a shack. When we drove to Black Star years later to see where my dad grew up, I could understand why she called it a shack. But, my dad graduated from Black Star High School, joined the Air Force, and got a college degree on his GI Bill. Just like they said in A Knight's Tale, you can change your stars.

 

Although I do not feel sorry for any adult who chooses to live in poverty, education is the key to getting out of the poverty for most. A good free education is available to anyone who chooses to take advantage of it no matter where you live in Eastern Kentucky.

 

However, I would have liked to see how things could have been different if our ancestors hadn't given away their mineral rights.

Well, you got one right...:lol: Which sad situation are you wanting a solution to? Ignorant stereotyping by outsiders?

 

1 right? No way. Which ones do you think are incorrect?

 

By the way, what's funny is I'm arrogant yet Pepper II says your ancestors were ignorant folk who got taken by the big citified, educated thieves. Classic!

I believe you've formed your opinion and I think I'll wait to discuss this situation with someone a bit less arrogant.

 

I list the components/causes and all you guys do is crack on me about the farming comment without offering any solutions .

 

Arrogant? Tell me which of my assumptions are incorrect other than the farming assumption.

I'm sorry, I should have worded it this way:

 

~35% of Kentucky Counties have 20% or greater citizens living in poverty .

 

Actually figuring the poverty rate for the state of Kentucky is easier than I first thought. I knew 121 counties didn't sound right. On your link item #67 is Kentucky has a whole. According to that site 16.3% of Kentuckians live in poverty.

I list the components/causes and all you guys do is crack on me about the farming comment without offering any solutions .

 

Arrogant? Tell me which of my assumptions are incorrect other than the farming assumption.

 

OK, I'll take a stab.

 

Richie Farmer is a hero.

 

Richie Farmer is not a hero, Richie Farmer is a God.

I appreciate the figures Rockmom, but for those who live here day by day we see some things that stats don't show and how they can be skewed. For example, one of the counties you mentioned has a 25% poverty rate. I would strongly speculate that number is misleading because a pretty good number of it's citizens claim no income (to avoid taxes and recieve entitlements) while making a living selling drugs or alcohol, rebuilding wrecked cars for resale, growing pot, operating illegal mines, working the flea markets, or any number of such activities. We have over the past couple of generations developed a class of people who have become amazingly adept at finding ways to beat the system, be it legal or not.

 

Valid argument but those "types" are in other counties as well. I'm guessing Jefferson County has people who report no income yet have cash in their pocket from illegal activities. I know Kenton County does. IMO those numbers are small enough that even if you discount them, it doesn't change the picture.

1 right? No way. Which ones do you think are incorrect?

 

By the way, what's funny is I'm arrogant yet Pepper II says your ancestors were ignorant folk who got taken by the big citified, educated thieves. Classic!

 

I didn't say you were arrogant, I said you were ignorant (of the facts.) Big difference. You think E. Ky. depends on farming, and you still think you are qualified to discuss the economy or anything else pertaining to the area, or even be taken seriously??? Too funny! :sssh:

Actually figuring the poverty rate for the state of Kentucky is easier than I first thought. I knew 121 counties didn't sound right. On your link item #67 is Kentucky has a whole. According to that site 16.3% of Kentuckians live in poverty.

 

I give up! :lol:

 

That's what I get for trying to work while posting on BGP!

 

I'm seriously going to have to reevaluate my priorities here! :eek:

OK, I'll take a stab.

 

 

 

Richie Farmer is not a hero, Richie Farmer is a God.

 

 

Now, that, I have to say...is FUNNY! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Honestly, I don't understand the antagonism coming from some of the EKY posters on this issue. I don't think anyone is trying to insult the people of EKY by pointing out these truths. The fact is, there are some people existing in appallingly primitive conditions in parts of EKY. I don't claim to have any answers to the problem; but pretending it isn't there can only serve to sustain it.