Let's face it, as long as we keep our borders open to millions of illegal immigrants who flood over from the third world, we're gonna have poverty here. It's not our poverty. It's Mexicos. If ten million starving mexicans came running over the border today, the stats people could scream "fifty percent of the children in California live under
the poverty level." No. These people just came here in their present state. We can not afford to feed all the starving people in Mexico, let alone the world. The people need to stop having so many kids, just like most people living under the poverty line.

There has ALWAYS been poverty in the US.

The US government has absolutely NO INTEREST in regulating the flow of "illegals" across any of its borders. The "illegals" provide various services that benefit the US economy. Incidentally, by working in the fields, many immigrants help feed you and your family!

In my opinion, by 2011, President Obama will grant amnesty. I strongly suggest that you start studying Spanish, Cantonese, Tagalog, French/Haitian version, and English. If you don't like living in the US, may I strongly suggest that you go back to where your ancestors came from?

This is indeed the age of MANIFEST DESTINY!

These sort of reports have to be careful to NOT say a quarter of Americans, since it's really a quarter of 'children of the world'..which are not a taxpayer issue. I would say that's a catholic church issue. It's priests, bishops, & the pope even had the gall to volunteer opinions on illegals among us. They are his problem from promoting irresponsible breeding without condoms...which is a CRUEL thing to do to those in poverty. Just starving poverty breeding more poverty. He should be more compassionate & PAY up for them.Has his church donated $$ to all our CA schools or just sends us children. Isn't the rule ?'law' still in effect requiring foreigners having a sponsor who is financially responsible....the immigrant swearing to NOT ask, take, or receive ANY PUBLIC SERVICES. WHICH, by name, congresspeople voted to change that financial responsibility ?? .. Where does it say we're responsible for educating, feeding, sharing our subsidized 'low-income' housing, providing Cal scholarships over Ca born males, money distributed to illegals on LasPositas campus, etc. etc. etc. Do native born citizen Californians have any representatives in this pathetic legislature or congress ? ? ? Sounds like the bill should be sent to cahtolic charities...not the US - CA taxpayers. Next to PUBLIC employee UNIONS, providing a .L O N G. list of costly SOCIAL SERVICES is what has broken our state...gas taxes are diverted AWAY from roads...all of our tax && designated for infrastructure gets diverted to social costs...we have become a giant 'welfare STATE" !! But, dummies keep electing those that can be bought off by those 'special interests' for illegals !!!

Hey Cholo, suffice it to say I don't agree with a word you wrote. Illegals are not necessary, nor wanted by the average American. You wanna talk tough about telling people to get out and manifest destiny? Believe me homeboy, you best hope that's not true, cause we'll win that game

There are already 30 million "illegals" in the US that the electorate is helpless to do anything about! If the US congress was truly concerned about getting rid of "illegals", then why hasn't that happened? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...tee hee hee, tee hee hee...

Look chump, it is MANIFEST DESTINY! Also, you can count on AMNESTY for thousands and thousands of Haitians who are already in the US illegally. About 30,000 Haitian children will be brought to the US and adopted, placed in group shelters, etc. and they will require extensive medical care and it will be provided for FREE by the US government. You taxes are going to pay for the care. It is a humanitarian pledge by the US and it will last at least a decade or beyond.

The Vatican has a deep pocket, a mere TRILLION, and it will chip in a few coins here 'n there, but do you think that the Vatican will give up more than a few million to help the Haitian survivors? NOT!

If you find living in a country that is about DIVERSITY too difficult for you to handle, then I suggest that you and your family go back to where your ancestors came from. This is not "tough"talk, I'm only suggesting that you leave the US, and take your family with you. Go, the "illegals" will not miss you so get a moveon.com.

As for winning a game, what game are you referring to? It is no game that immigrants are coming to the US by the millions. It's not about guns and shooting it out! The come, they settle and they stay. It's that simple!

What's a homeboy"?

Ya, I'm not going anywhere. And if you think we're just gonna except an invasion, well you must not know the western man that well. It only takes a few of us to defeat all of you. Believe me, when we're done, all you traitors will be the ones packing up as we manifest our destiny all over your face

Somebody has anger issues...tee hee hee, tee hee hee...

Correction: accept and NOT except!

Who is the "we" that you are referring to?

What "traitors"? Many many many immigrants served in the US military.

What is a "homeboy"?

Think about it, millions upon millions upon millions of forners forners forners will be your neighbors.

It's time for you to take a class in another forn language...homeboy! tee hee hee, tee hee hee...

It's never too late for sissies to moveon.com!

Yeah, Tee her hee. Let's all laugh like fairies. Here's the facts, you're gonna lose. We're gonna win. Remember the Alamo. Remember Thermopylae. Remember Ahmose versus the Hyskos. You're all getting out. We'll help you pack and don't let the door hit you on the way out

1/4 of the states children live in poverty? I wonder if 1/4 of the states children live in home without flatscreen TV's. I wonder if that same 1/4 of the states children mom's don't have Coach purses and mom or dad have iphones. I can't believe the lack of sacrifice by many many parents. I see parents pay for "entitled" luxuries and yet can't afford health insurance or child care. Is that poverty?
How was it defined in this study? Reportable income?

What a load of crap Alex. You really believe children are living in poverty because their parents are overspending on luxury items? Maybe it makes you feel better about it to believe that. My kids are living in poverty because my husband can't find a job in this economy. Get a clue! People are choosing this? What a joke!

Janna I don't think what Alex said is not true. On the contrary, I do think what he said speaks highly about how our society views success or trying to fit in and be considered successful. There are MANY people who do buy expensive things at the sake of giving up other more important things. And Gunslinger, yes we have illegal immigrants but we also have many, many Americans living in poverty that are legal. Take a hard look at the Midwest. Even in our backyard do we have people living in poverty. I remember in high school- at Amador Valley- we did this holiday fund raising thing; I think it was adopt a family or something. The teacher and students were able to take the gifts we purchased and drop them off at the families house. Well this family lived in Livermore and they had a nice car in their driveway, leather couch, and huge television.

Here's another thought and I'm sure I may get ripped for this. Yes I total agree that we should be helping Haiti, but how is it that people who live pay check to pay check donate money? All these organizations have been stating how much has been raised so far and yet I thought our nation was in some economic crisis. If someone is living pay check to pay check, doesn't that mean that donating 10 dollars would mean skipping out on some bill, insurance, food etc? But yes, if we do have shelter over heads and donating money means being late on a bill, then go for it. These are all personal decision we make but I've been curious about this and have been wanting to ask. (Some other people even brought this up and I said ok, I'm not the only one thinking this.)

The Feds are creating poverty in the Central Valley as a result of court ordered shutting off of pumps that supply water to farmers in the Certral Valley...

Farmworker families are living off charity because some fish is being sucked into the pumps. I suppose a fish is more important to some so-called environmentalist than families...

I wish we weren't spending all our extra funds on illegals and cultural welfare abusers and ineffective systems, because then we'd have more to give to our hardworking fellow Americans such as in the Midwest and around here

PToWN94566,

I have to wonder if you and Alex are parents, because I can say, as a parent, there is nothing more important than the well-being of my children. I'm sure there are selfish people out there, but I find myself appalled at anyone wondering if that's why so many children are living in poverty, especially in these economic times.

I have a flat-screen tv I bought five years ago, does that mean I neglected my kids for material possessions? No, my husband was working and we were much better off financially then. I also have an 07 CRV I bought in late 06. Does that mean I am a bad parent because I bought a car? No because at the time, I could afford the car, now I'm barely hanging on to it. Things are as black and white as everyone likes to think and things can hit bottom faster than you realize.

Should have been...not as black and white....

Hey Marxist Janna:
Yes, I feel very troubled by the plight of the helpless children of Haiti.

Do you know what would help Haiti the most?

Capitalism.

They've lived under totalitarian, socialist rule ... similar to what Obama's direction for America if his democrat policies are left unchecked.

Capitalism, Janna.

It is YOU who are the heartless, mean-spirited, and dare I say "child abuser" if you continue to support the socialist, marxist policies of Obama.

Capitalism. Learn about it since it was apparently never taught to you.

Capitalism kills people indiscriminately. I'm sure that's why you like it. Ruth is that you?

1/4 of the state's children could be living in poverty within the year?
Sort of puts the idea of our kids' suffering by being in classrooms with up to 25 or even 30 kids into perspective, doesn't it?
Even with budget cuts and the changes they bring, many Pleasanton families are very fortunate - not all, as some posters have attested, but many.

Actually, neither Haiti nor Mexico can ever PERMANENTLY rise above current poverty levels ..without condoms. Condoms should be in every care package. To not provide & use condoms is DENYING REALITY.
They'll never be able to get a grip on povery...Why bother sending
poverty packages which have to be replaced every day, rather than helping provide for their own future. Obviously, I'm not talking about earthquake relief. But there's little point in attempting to BUILD for future. Did you see the CNN interview of Mother with ..11.. kids under 15 and was giving 2 away !!! AFTER she has the kids, THEN she figures she can't afford to feed them. How about a little education. SHAME on people who say NO, NO. well, grow up. CONDOMS PREVENT abortions !!! So face facts. Charity fund-raising and starving children would disappear if babies didn't come every year. IF you're opposed to abortions, then YOU SHOULD be screaming the loudest for condoms !!!! Arrogant, ignorant, hypocritical zealots deny the use of condoms and are responsible for poverty breeding poverty and MORE STARVING CHILDREN...how cruel and INhumane.

It's mind boggling isn't it? Religions don't want them to use birth control, but won't deal with the outcome. After the babies are born, they don't care what happens.

tell the pope...he's behind this scheme to overpopulate the earth...

Remember in the late 50's and early 60's when they talked about 6 billion people was about the maximum number of people the earth could support? And, there was little probably that the exponential growth of the population would be curtailed? And, the result would be around 10-12 billion population conditions would be so bad that nuclear war would break out to kill people a few billion at a time? And whether, when that did occur, where life on earth would still be sustainable?

The people of the world have quit thinking about the population bomb, and guess what boys and girls -- that time could be drawing nigh unless forced population control comes to pass. 1 kid per family is probably better than Armageddon. As they said 50-60 years ago, stop the bomb or the bombs will fly.

Janna, if you are struggling that much and barely hanging on to the car, would you want to sell that item to have money to be able to keep certain necessities afloat? (Such as the house, food etc). If someone has a car that is keeping them in debt, that is their own fault. Trade the car in and get a less expensive car! Sell the tv for as much as someone would buy it for! There are certain things we can live with and without- we can have these things at one time and then may be forced to give them up during other times. If someone's true well-being is for their kids, they would know when to give up certain commodities and not hang on to them as they just keep pulling downward.

Ptown,

I've already sold most of everything I own. If I sell my car, how will I take my children to school? How will I get groceries? Think man.

I know that people who aren't struggling don't have any problem telling those who are just to sell everything you own to get by. So because I'm poor now, I should just keep getting poorer by getting rid of basics we worked so hard to get. Selling my tv isn't going to even get me by a month financially and I would have a hard time replacing this type of thing in the future, even when we get back on our feet.

I don't own a house, I live in an apartment after moving twice. I've cut out every expense I can think of. I have thought of trading my car in. However, it's difficult to get a new loan of any amount without proof of income, and I would have to since I still owe on my car.

The car isn't keeping me in debt. No income is keeping me in debt. Get that straight. Looks like you have no problem with "blaming the victim" (not that I think I am one). Seems it all my fault I'm not better off. I guess didn't sell enough of my soul.

So you have no children correct?

Janna: I understand your dilemma. You need the car for the kids to school etc. I hope you are on unemployment, that helps. Also cut down the food expense by going to food banks etc. Ask for help from relatives, or your church.

The US Census Bureau in Pleasanton is here..they will be hiring soon for people to collect info. Call them!

Janna, here's a novel idea.

Spend less time online whining about your situation and more time knocking on doors for job opportunities. Jobs are not going to come to you.

Spruce up your resume by asking for professional career counseling assistance (yellow pages, etc.). Also I suggest some counseling on how to interview. (I would not hire you based on your whining alone.)

Janna and others,
Jobs are truly difficult to get now and I am sincerely sympathetic of your situation.
I remember a time when anyone could walk into a factory or warehouse and get a job, or even a second job. America was great then. I remember my parents working very hard for very little and discussing a great vacation they'd look forward to on their 40th anniversary when the kids were all grown up. Unfortunately, in my own extended family, I've witnessed younger family members, on public assistance, expecting luxury items, like "big vacations", the best cell phones, etc.
So you shouldn't take my comments personally, they clearly weren't directed at you or people in your situation( could be me tomorrow). We have many challenges as a nation, one is clearly a "lack of opportunity".
Good luck!

I know somebody in Sonoma who makes good money teaching seniors one on one to use a computer. She has 5 seniors and sees one a day for 2 hrs. That pays for alot!

Good luck!

Alex and Lee, I appreciate the constructive comments. I should have clarified that my children are still small so I'm a SAHM. In the fall, it should be easier for me to find a job since my youngest will be in school longer. My husband is the one who has been trying to find a job with no luck as of late. He worked a few months, but was laid off. No one ever thinks they'll end up this bad off, but it can happen fast. We had money in the bank and a very low key lifestyle, no vacations, etc. Now even our 401k is gone.

Mark, that's very compassionate of you. Do you kick puppies too? I'd complain to somebody at the state level about the lack of jobs, but with all the furloughs, it's impossible to reach an actual person.

Janna,

What do you suggest be done about this economy? I mean whatever Obama is doing and the democrats in California have tried has not worked. What do you suggest?

Well, the first step would've been to not send it down the toilet in the first place. Kind of hard to reverse a flushing toilet though.

Other than that, I'm not privy to the details of the presidency so that would be hard to say. A couple of things though, more infrastructure jobs, NO more jobs going to India or China. No U.S. company should be allowed to export jobs, no exceptions. Incentives/subsidies for small/home businesses so they can grow and hire more people. No money to Wall Street, or banks. I would not have made a lot of decisions Obama has made. But then I'm against corporations because they treat people as disposable in the name of profits.

Personally, I'm used to living within my means. Such things as the concept of borrowing money from China to fund a war of choice was hard to conceive. Face it, money was wasted, lots of money, for nothing. It makes me angry that people here suffered in the name of that. We could've paid for health care many times over by now.

It took a good eight years to create this mess, you must think Obama has some magical powers to fix it so fast and so perfectly. I'm sure it was way worse than we could imagine. Bush/Cheney spent like drunken sailors.

Janna,

blaming everything on the previous 8 years is getting old and unpresidential. He said he was up to the job but now cannot cut it and just blames everyone else. That is not leadership. I want to know what his plan is other than bailing all of failed companies out.

Janna I think your quick to call the kettle black. I never once stated I had problems; I think you have stated clearly on this thread that you do. I pay over 4 grand every nine weeks for school and this money isn't even mine as it's financial aide. Since we on the game of "wooo is me"- I'll be in almost $100,000 in debt by the time I finish school but I'm not running around crying about it. It's life- we live each day and always try and do best. The point of my previous posts (since I have to point it out) is that I have witnessed many people who claim to be living pay check to pay check spend their money on items they don't need. If someone has complained to me about being constantly late on bills or not having enough food but then goes out and buys an expensive Blu-Ray- what does that tell the rest of society?

Yes the economy has been a slump for some time, but seriously, I feel this is another excuse for people. I've seen MANY job opportunities at places like Walmart, Target, McDonald's, Walgreen's etc. There are jobs out there- people just have to hunt them down. It may be difficult and rough at times, but we have to accept that and continue on with our lives. If we don't, we'll wind up sitting around complaining all day of "wooo is me".

There'd be a lot more jobs if they weren't being sent overseas AND being taken by illegal immigrants

I hear a lot of things but one thing that is clear to me is that everyone is fed up with what is going on in this nation. We need government to pay attention to what is in the best interest of our citizens, not mexicos, chinas, haiti's , or any other country . We are the ones who built this nation and we are the back bone. We have become a nation of complainers and winers. We sit around and complian about what we don't like, cant stant, how hard it is yet we do nothing tangible to change it. Janna, I dont want to come off as harsh but you claim you cannot get a job because your a sahm, you also stated your husband is unemployed. Well perhaps you should work nights and he days. YOu have to suck it up and do watever it takes. There are jobs you just have to be willing to do watever it takes to earn the money. Blaming former admins will not change the situation. Standing up and thinking and acting will bring about change and nothing else will work. As for the illegals. WEll I think it's a shame businesses hire and exploit them, I think it's a shame social services will help them when there are so many americans needing help first. I think it's a shame our elected officials allow someone into this countrey illegally to compete with a citizen for a job. Watcha gonna do complain? has that worked so far?

Well, since my husband was making six figures, he is hardly competing with someone who is here illegally, unless I haven't heard that they're taking the white collar jobs too.

Well in fact Janna, If you look at the huge impact illegal immigration has on the economy of this nation.... facts in 2008 the cost of illegal immigration in this nation was 338 BILLION!!!!!! tax payers dollars.Wow just think how far that money could go if spent on our education system, helping small businesses, helping retrain laid of workers, . If you don't think that effects your husbands job then just think again. The government needs to make this up somewhere and where do you think that will come from? Taxing corporations, taxing the citizens of this countrey, tax tax tax. It Does affect you and your husbands financial situation and every other hard working or out of work American Citizen. Thats why I say if you don't like the situation our Nation is in then do something.. Anything... Just don't sit around and complain about it. I have and will continue to fight this It may be in vain but at least I know I am trying to bring about change. Let me give you a simple scenario. You are a mom with I think u said 2 small children, You no doubt love and cherish those little ones. Would you take in all strangers kids off the street who came to your door, would you feed, clothe , provide room and board, medical attention to the detriment of your own children???? Of course you wouldn't but that is what our government is doing to each and every one of us. Look I am in no way against immigrants, we are all immigrants or descendants of immigrants the only difference is we did it legally, we all paid our dues, our forefathers bought this land from mexico" Contrary to what the mexicans say" in the 1800's and we paid a then hefty price for it, This was dry desolate land and we settled and made something of this land, we all worked hard and contributed to the making of this nation. It wasn't handed to us and no one got a free ride, There was no hand outs for our fore fathers, there was no welfare, wick, free lunch programs, free medical care , free government "HUD" housing. NOTHING WAS FREE!!!!!! they worked and made something of themselves and they did it all legally. This nation was founded on laws and principals and Illegals have no respect for our nations laws. Hence the name ILLEGAL... Bottom line, They affect each and every one of us, you just choose to not see it.