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.