An examination of America’s poorest cities shows a clear connection between the political leadership of the cities and their wealth and/or poverty. I let you draw your own conclusions if there is a clear correlation between stimulus and/or welfare programs and poverty.

% Of population below poverty level

1. Detroit, MI - 32.5% - Last Republican Mayor – 1961

2. Buffalo, NY - 29.9% - Last Republican Mayor – 1954

3. Cincinnati, OH – 27.8% - Last Republican Mayor – 1984

4. Cleveland, OH – 27.0% - Last Republican Mayor – 1989

5. Miami, FL - 26.9% - Last Republican Mayor - Never

6. St. Louis, MO – 26.8% - Last Republican Mayor – 1949

7. El Paso, TX – 26.4% - Last Republican Mayor – Never

8. Milwaukee, WI – 26.2% - Last Republican Mayor - 1908

9. Philadelphia, PA – 25.1% - Last Republican Mayor – 1952

10. Newark, NJ – 24.2% - Last Republican Mayor - 1907

It should be noted that six of the ten made the top ten list for population loss:

1. St. Louis, MO – 59.4% decline- From 856,796 to 348,189 people

2. Buffalo, NY – 49.8% decline – From 580.132 to 292,648 people

3. Detroit, MI – 48.6% decline – From 1,849,568 to 951,270 people

4. Cleveland, OH – 47.7% decline – From 914,808 to 478,403 people

5. Newark, NJ – 37.7% decline - From 438,776 to 273,546 people

6. Philadelphia, PA – 26.7% decline – From 2,071,605 to 1,517,560 people

It is particularly ironic that Detroit was the richest city in the world in 1950.