Just The Facts, Ma'am.

1 in 14- chance that a U.S. worker would have a drop in income of one-half his salary or greater in 1970

1 in 6- chance in 2002

14% (est.)- percent of U.S. citizens living under the poverty line

$19,803- yearly income to be considered poor in the U.S.

$5.15- minimum hourly wage in this country

$10,507- yearly salary of person working for minimum wage

$170,000,000,000 (est.)- the cost to our economy through increased crime by adults who grew up poor in this country

$203.95- minimum hourly wage for members of the U.S. Congress

$139.97- minimum hourly wage this year factoring in new rule lengthening hours Congress is in session

96%- percent of U.S. workers who pay into Social Security

100% - percent of members of Congress who pay into Social Security (but they have their own retirement plan and do not draw on Social Security if and when they retire from Congress)

$11, 494.80- average annual pension (Social Security) paid to retired U.S. workers in 2006

$35,952- average annual pension (non-Social Security) paid to retired members of Congress in 2006

$39,403 (est.)- U.S. median personal wealth U.S. in 2006

$2,161 (est.)- median personal wealth worldwide