 poverty level headed for 50year high in an associated press survey of economists think tanks and academics there was broadbased concensus that the poverty level rose in 2010 to levels not seen for 50 years with continuing high unemployment and underemployment requests for aid is skyrocketing how much longer can the country continue on this path read more at  wwwchicagotribunecom business breaking chiuspovertyheadstowardhighestlevelin50years201207  poverty level headed for 50year high  