Current Facts 2

Schools
The financial gap between poor and wealthy school districts is widening, according to an Education Trust report. Many state and local governments, which provide 90 percent of education spending, cut their budgets during the economic downturn, and impoverished districts were hit hardest. The poorest US districts received $868 less per student that the wealthiest ones in 2002. In 2000, the gap was just $728.
"The Week" October 15, 2004, Vol. 4, Iss. 178, pp. 6

Life Expectancy Decline of Russian Males
Over the past four decades, life expectancy for Russian men has decreased by six years, due to rampant heart disease, alcoholism, smoking related diseases, and tuberculosis. A boy born today can expect to live to just 58.—The New Yorker
"The Week" October 15, 2004, Vol. 4, Iss. 178, pp. 18

Afghanistan Aid
“All sources of foreign aid to Afghanistan, including US reconstruction funds, totaled $52 per person in 2003. Foreign aid to Kosovo totaled $814 per person, and to Bosnia, $1,390 per person—USA Today”
The Week October 22, 2004 Vol. 4, Iss. 179, pp. 18

Cosmetic Surgery
“The body parts most commonly altered by cosmetic surgery vary from region to region. The West leads the nation in breast implants. The Midwest has the most buttock and thigh lifts. The South is the leader in ear corrections, cheek implants, and cellulite treatments. The East is tops in hair transplants, chemical peels, and collagen injections—GQ”
The Week October 22, 2004 Vol. 4, Iss. 179, pp. 18

Health Care Premiums
“Health care premiums will jump at least 15 percent in 2005, more than triple the average workers pay raise.—Chicago Tribune”
The Week October 22, 2004 Vol. 4, Iss. 179, pp. 44

College Tuition
“Tuition continued to rise more quickly at state schools than at private universities last year, according to a College Board study. Tuition for students attending public universities in their home states reached $5,132, after rising 10.5 percent in 2003, and 13 percent in 2002.”
The Week October 29, 2004 Vol. 4, Iss. 180, pp. 6

Toledo Swing State Ads
“Residents of Toledo, in the critical swing state of Ohio, have been barraged with 14,273 televised commercials on the presidential race in the past two months-more than any city in the nation.”
The Week October 29, 2004 Vol. 4, Iss. 180, pp. 18

Slogans
“Less than 1 percent of people surveyed recognized the ad slogans of Wendy’s or Miller Beer. Eighty-seven percent identified Allstate’s ‘You’re in good hands,’ but that slogan is 49 years old.—Business Week”
The Week October 29, 2004 Vol. 4, Iss. 180, pp. 41

2001 Wealth Gap
“The 2001 recession widened the wealth gap between minorities and whites. The net worth of black and Hispanic households dropped 27 percent from 1999 to 2001, while white households gained 2 percent during the same period.—The Washington Post”
The Week October 29, 2004 Vol. 4, Iss. 180, pp. 41

Corporate Tax
Corporations paid 35.4 percent of the federal tax levy in 1945. Thanks to decades of lobbying and tax breaks, corporations now pay 7.4 percent.--USA Today
The Week, November 5, 2004, Vol 4, Iss. 181, pp. 40.