A new analyis of Census data finds that extreme poverty numbers are on the rise:

The number of black youths living in extreme poverty is at its highest level in the 23 years that such statistics have been kept, according to a report released Wednesday. More than 932,000 blacks under age 18 are in that category, a 50 percent increase from the 622,000 classified that way in 1999, according to a Children's Defense Fund analysis of Census Bureau data.

[link via Atrios] We agree with Children's Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman, who had this to say about the report's findking:

These numbers are clear indicators that, as a country, we must invest in children now instead of passing irresponsible tax breaks for the rich. “It is shameful that one million Black children are left behind in extreme poverty,” said Edelman. “It is hard to be poor. It is harder to be an extremely poor Black child in America when our President who says we should Leave No Child Behind® is proposing massive new tax breaks for the richest Americans.”

Our view has always been that we must give every child in America an equal chance to succeed. Bush hasn't done that. In fact, he's making this goal more difficult to achieve daily. Out, Out, damn spot. See spot run. See spot hide. See spot fade into oblivion. That's our goal for the spottily accomplished Bush.