A: The minimum wage would be $8.70 today if it had kept pace with inflation. (Brennan Center, NYU Law School, November 3, 2004) The current Federal minimum wage is $5.35.
Q: In 1965, CEOs in major companies made 24 times more than the average worker. In 2003, CEOs earned how many times more than the average worker?
A: In 2003, CEOs earned 185 times more than the average worker. ("Wages" in State of Working America 2004-2005, Economic Policy Institute, www.epinet.org)
Q: The U.S. is composed of 3,066 counties. In how many of the nation's 3,066 counties can someone who works full-time and earns the federal minimum wage afford to pay rent and utilities on a one-bedroom apartment?
A: In four of the nation's 3,066 counties can someone who works full-time and earns the federal minimum wage afford to pay rent and utilities on a one-bedroom apartment. (New York Times, "Study Finds Gap in Wages and Housing Costs," December 25, 2004)
Q: How much must the typical U.S. worker earn per hour if they dedicate 30% of their income to housing costs?
A: In fact, the typical U.S. worker must earn $15.37 an hour if they dedicate 30% of their income to housing costs. (New York Times, "Study Finds Gap in Wages and Housing Costs," December 25, 2004)
Q: In 2001, the average financial wealth for black households was about what percentage of the average for white households?
A: In 2001, the average financial wealth for black households was about 12% of the average for white households. ("Minorities," in State of Working America 2004-2005, Economic Policy Institute)
Q: Where does the U.S. rank worldwide in the imprisonment of its citizens?
A: First. The U.S. imprisons more than 700 persons per 100,000. Russia is second with 584. (Sentencing Project, "Facts About Prisons and Prisoners," www.sentencingproject.org)
Q: In 2004, the U.S. military budget was how much for each second of the year?
A: In 2004, the U.S. military budget was over $399 billion, $12,000 a second, (www.globalissues.org)
Q: In 2003, the U.S. military budget was how many times as large as the combined spending of the seven "rogue" states (Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria)?
A: The U.S. military budget was more than 29 times as large as the combined spending of the seven "rogue" states (Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria). Even if you add China and Russia's military spending to that, all nine nations together spent $116.2 billion, 27% of the U.S. military budget, (www.globalissues.org)
Q: Of the 6.2 billion people in the world today, how many live on less than $1 per day, and how many live on less than $2 per day?
A: Of the 6.2 billion people in the world today, 1.2 billion live on less than $1 per day and 2.8 billion live on less than $2 per day. (2002 U.N. Human Development Report)
Q: The richest 1% in the world receives as much Income as what percentage of the poorest?
A: The richest 1% in the world receives as much income as the poorest 57%. (2002 U.N. Human Development Report)
Q: Americans give how much per day in government assistance to poor countries?
A: On average, Americans give 15 cents per day in government assistance to poor countries. (Nicholas D. Kristof, "Land of Penny Pinchers," New York Times, January 5, 2005)
Q: Americans spend how much on soft drinks each day?
A: Americans spend 60 cents on soft drinks each day. (Nicholas D. Kristof, "Land of Penny Pinchers," New York Times, January 5, 2005)