The Northwest Area Foundation, an anti-poverty group, released a report a couple of weeks ago that stated "51 percent (of South Dakotans) know someone in their community who works two or more jobs and is struggling to make ends meet." The report also stated that 47 percent of South Dakotans "say a family of four would need $40,000 or more than that to make ends meet."

Reading the survey summary, you get the impression that people are struggling everywhere and despite record economic growth and low unemployment, we're hovering somewhere near the despair of the Great Depression.

The report also seems to place real or perceived pressure on elected officials to provide more taxpayer dollars for "poverty," citing a figure of 88 percent of South Dakotans who say it's "important for local officials to work to help those struggling to make ends meet." The expectation for government solutions is hard to escape.

The survey makes for eye-catching headlines, but appears to be based completely on anecdotal or "hearsay" evidence. So what do the real economic facts indicate?

U.S. Department of Labor statistics shows 9.4 percent of South Dakotans working more than one job. While this is comparatively high, it's still less than one out of 10 people.

In South Dakota, March unemployment was at 3.1 percent. USDL stats for 2005 say the average hourly wage statewide was $14.02, and was $14.18 for Rapid City. Those wages are undoubtedly higher now.

According to Investors Business Daily, in the past five years disposable income has risen 29 percent to $9.68 trillion and 69 percent of Americans own their own home.

When you compare perceptions to facts, widespread poverty and suffering doesn't appear to be the problem some make it out to be. So are we struggling, or struggling to live above our means?

For those genuinely struggling, maybe some of that 51 percent of South Dakotans who know someone who is "struggling" can help their friend, neighbor or co-worker instead of waiting for someone else to do it. South Dakotans are big-hearted people; maybe we just need to work on showing it more.

Dr. C. Richard Wells, senior pastor of South Canyon Baptist Church in Rapid City, recently returned with a group of men from his church after a three-week mission trip to the Philippines. Wells said an economic report appeared in the papers while he was there and it stated about half of all Philippinos earn $2 a day or less. Wells also said he was amazed and humbled that, despite the extreme poverty of these people, they are far more happy, positive and content than most Americans.

In the end, the tone of the NWA report strikes me as trying to find something to be miserable about rather than being grateful for healthy economic conditions.

Maybe it's time to give thanks for all that we do have, and instead of complaining about what we perceive someone else isn't doing, get ourselves more involved in helping the needy in our communities.

Bob Ellis lives and works in Rapid City. Write to bobellis@dakotavoice.com.