Land of Democracy and 'Freedom'

New government census figures show the number of Americans living in poverty has hit a record 46.2 million — one out six people. Nearly 50 million are without health insurance, the highest total in over two decades. The overall poverty rate has climbed to 15.1 percent from 14.3 percent, and from 2007 to 2010 rose faster than any similar period since the early 1980s. The percentage of Americans without health insurance rose from 16.1 percent last year to 16.3 percent. The gap between the rich and the poor has also grown. While the average income for the top five percent of the population dropped 1.2 percent, the same figure for the bottom fifth of households fell 4 percent.