Session Six:

ECONOMICS and CAUSES

Of poverty

"If a man cannot be trusted with the government of himself, can he be trusted with the government of others?" [Thomas Jefferson]

QUESTIONS TO KEEP IN MIND:
1.Who do you think is poor?
2. Why do you believe people are poor in the US and globally?
3. What do you think is being done about poverty?
4. How well do you think poverty is being addressed currently in the U.S?
5. What do you personally think should be done about poverty?

Let me start with this statement, the money you earn is yours and that government in a free society has the right to take only as much as needed to perform those limited functions. The four theories to what cause poverty are interesting. Firstly, the lack of human capital I do not agree with much nor do I think it should be ONE of the four causes of poverty. Knowledge, skill, training and education are all available if people are willing to put forth the effort to achieve it. But, one statement in particular under some “suggested solutions” enticed me more than any other statement I have seen thus far: “Changing the personal characteristics of the poor; removing children from poor households” – Although a hefty statement and one that seems a bit dramatic, it almost seems as if it was need to be attempted to remove any possible or future prospective to fall under poverty.  

Session Five:

GLOBAL context

Isnt it strange that the U.S is said to suffer from more poverty than any other developing country [who have equal standards of living]? With all of the opportunities given to people who live in the United States, it is shocking to think we have one of the highest poverty rates within this wealthy, industrialized country.

Therefore, here are some more general questions to think about when regarding the gap between the rich and poor:
1) Were you aware of the growing gap between the rich and the poor?

Yes and no. If the economy were not where it is at this moment in time, I do not believe I, nor other people would be as aware of the gap between the rich and poor.

2) Why do you think the U.S. has higher income inequality than other industrialized countries?

Since this term refers to inequality among individuals and groups within a society- I would say that a majority of the income inequality in the U.S comes from the differences in opinions regarding ways to create wealth within the country.
3) Why do you think the U.S. has some of the highest poverty rates among industrialized countries?

Over-spending.
4) Do you think it’s possible to end extreme poverty? Why or why not?

I do not believe that poverty can be ended completely, but putting an end to EXTREME poverty does seem attainable. Jeffrey Sachs' nine ways to end extreme poverty seem to be the steps towards heading in the right directions- but his #1 step seems most sufficent and correct. It states, "Commit to the task: The whole world needs to embrace the goal to end extreme poverty". -- I thoroughly agree with this statement because nothing will be accomplished through one person.

Session Four:

GEORGRAPHY

of POVERTY

1.Who do you think is poor?

          It is interesting to see how the South has historically been the poorest region in comparison to other regions. Yet, when I think all the way back to times around the Civil War, it almost makes sense to why the South is in greater destitute. The north, having cities, has always been more developed and booming (economically as well) than the South.

2. Why do you believe people are poor in the US and globally?

        In this session, being in rural areas and living in a more “depressed” area that is not as developed seems to be the reason as to why the South is poorer than other regions. Yet, I do not believe the characteristics of the rural, such as “low education and wages, scarce jobs, high unemployment, isolation, inadequate physical infrastructure and social support services” is an EXCUSE for poor in this specific area; but it is more or else what people of the South are accustom to and typically do not know any different.

3. What do you think is being done about poverty?

       Region wise- nothing is being done specifically between fixing poverty between specific regions in the U.S. Things such as the mismatch hypothesis and the spatial mismatch hypothesis may or may not work in the recession we are facing today, but at this point- anything is worth trying to fix the ordeal.

         

Session Three:

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT: 1.Who do you think is poor?
2. Why do you believe people are poor in the US and globally?
3. What do you think is being done about poverty?
4. How well do you think poverty is being addressed currently in the U.S?
5. What do you personally think should be done about poverty?

POVERTY in the UNITED STATES

1.      After reading through Poverty in the United States, my opinion on who is poor in the United States is slowly starting to sway in a different way. Looking through statistics and learning about Race in regards to poverty, it is astounding how races other than “white” are the ones whom are having a tougher time through this time of recession.  Why is it that the poverty among different ethnic groups and races is so strong?

2.      In my opinion, the unequal availabilities to those who live somewhere other than the United States seems to still be the reason why people are underprivileged globally. Yet, in the United States, the more I read the more I am starting to realize poorness is more of a trend. A trend which comes from children learning and retaining the “incorrect” ways to handle hardships, education and money.

3.      Different programs are available and are out there for use, but still unsure to whether or not they are the right programs, as well as IF people are using them CORRECTLY.

4.      Statistics are readily available to be studied and analyzed, yet the common folk are most likely not willing to thoroughly read through and understand where these statistics are coming from. The US needs to address the current situation in a way that will finally open the eyes of some Americans, because odd enough, some people still have their eyes shut.

5.      Pending answer....

Session Two

History & Poverty Measures

POST-QUESTIONS: 1.Who do you think is poor?
2. Why do you believe people are poor in the US and globally?
3. What do you think is being done about poverty?
4. How well do you think poverty is being addressed currently in the U.S?
5. What do you personally think should be done about poverty?

1.       “The lack of money and materialistic possessions” would be a general and obvious definition of “who” is poor, but I think factoring in the “dependence on charity” and “lacking in finances” and being financially SMART is a significant input into the definition on “who” is poor.

2.      In the United states, I believe always wanting MORE is the biggest problem. And globally, TREND and insufficient, unequal programs is a problem.

3.      Obviously, not enough is being done. The typical shelter programs, food stamp hand-out and welfare programs are not working anymore.

4.      I think it is not being addressed enough and the younger population should possibly learn less about the history of poverty and more about the present poverty.

5.      As of now, my view for on poverty is that with freedom comes the responsibility of that liberty. Individuals must take personal responsibility for their own actions and our government needs to follow this idea.

Session One: Personal Outlook

INITIAL QUESTIONS: 1.Who do you think is poor?
2. Why do you believe people are poor in the US and globally?
3. What do you think is being done about poverty?
4. How well do you think poverty is being addressed currently in the U.S?
5. What do you personally think should be done about poverty?
ANSWERS
1. How does one describe who is poor opposed to who is not? Poor can be defined as one having little money or few possessions, yet is that what "being poor" really is? Is it right to put the malnurished and underprivileged children whom know know difference for equal opportunity to be categorized as poor with those who voluntarily enagage and become addicted to drugs and end up on the streets, dripping in poverty; Is this a fair judgement? In my eyes, poverty and the poor are those who are not able to have access to the equal opportunities that we have in America.

2. When it comes to finding a reason why people in Americaare poor or are poverty stricken; there is none. Globally, people are typically in dire destitute because of the unequal chances given to people (or not given in this case).

3. In all honesty, it is hard to talk about what I think is being done to completely rid of poverty and prevent it as much as possible.- which actually shows the lack of publicity/media geared towards showing the extent of poverty.

4. Poverty is beyond any doubt not shown enough to the public eyes in the United States- therefore rarely thought about. If the poverty that is contiunally happening was shown more often, rather than being overlooked than maybe people would begin to realize the absoulte destitiute people are living through (globablly and in the U.S).

5. Although there are many people who have made attempts to find a "cure" for poverty (relief groups and so on) what is the successful and right apporach to achieve the depletion of poverty? I truly believe that spreading the word through schools/media and making people more knowledgable of the extent of poverty, then hopefully people would become more aware and begin to take serious action as a community to solve for better. Solving poverty is not a one man act, but the efforts of a community.