[yummyfajitas]

I'm not sure why you say things aren't "reducible" to PPP numbers - low PPP-adjusted income corresponds quite well to the low consumption levels you are describing.

In any case, I'm glad we are agreed that unreal37 is incorrect, and it is possible to "live on" $1200/month. It's not anywhere near as nice as American poverty, but it's hardly clear that $7.25 is too low.

I'd propose an alternate direction for the discussion - if we believe the American poor are lacking in some necessary good or service, lets be specific and name it.