Session 14!!

Two recent stories on PBS gave me ideas for things we can do globally and in the US to come back poverty. Globally, a researcher has done a study finding that the level of childhood illness up to age 5 is inversely related to IQ. In Mozambique, for example, they have the highest level of severe childhood illness and the lowest average IQ. His theory is that the body needs to use a lot of energy developing the structure and size of the brain. If too much energy is diverted into fighting off illness it inhibits brain development with life long effects. "CHRISTOPHER EPPIG, University of New Mexico: I like to think of this in terms of sort of economics. So, the body has a finite amount of physical energy that it can spend in a limited number of areas.

As a child at a younger age than 5, one estimate shows the brain occupying more than half of the body's entire energy budget. And at newborn -- as a newborn, that number may be as high as 87 percent. And another expensive thing that the body does is fights off infectious disease. And so, like any kind of budget, if you have a limited amount of funds, if you take money out of one area, it has to come from somewhere.

RAY SUAREZ: Eppig found that countries with the highest levels of infectious disease also had the lowest average I.Q.s. Researchers matched I.Q. estimates of 192 countries against 28 infectious diseases listed by the World Health Organization. Mozambique, which ranks at the bottom of I.Q. scores, also tops the charts in disease burden.

CHRISTOPHER EPPIG: The structure and the size of our brain is what gives us our intelligence. And, so, exposure to disease early in childhood can affect the way the brain is built, the way it's structured. And throughout your adult life, you can be left with a brain that wasn't built quite correctly.

DR. EMANUELE CAPOBIANCO, chief of health and nutrition, UNICEF, Mozambique: The study basically says that, if you fight infectious disease, that you will raise I.Q. of a nation.

If this proposition is true, by fighting infectious diseases, you bring up the I.Q. of a nation, which means the productivity of a nation, is a very strong argument for investing in health, in fighting infectious diseases. It's an economic argument that can be extremely strong and powerful for a police maker who will have to decide how to prioritize their investment."

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/july-dec10/mozambique_11-24.html

Domestically one program offering food assistance to people in or on the edge of poverty has had a positive impact.  "RAY SUAREZ: Has there been any change in who is hungry? As people have lost income, lost their jobs, has the population of the hungry changed?

DAVID BECKMANN: Well, the big increase in hunger is because of unemployment. So, much more than before, it's young people with children, people who have lost their job, people who maybe can't get a full-time job. They're working a few hours, 20 hours a week, but they can't feed their kids. That's the big surge.

RAY SUAREZ: So, we're seeing a lot of new people in that population, people who haven't had this problem before and now are downwardly mobile?

DAVID BECKMANN: Right. There are lots of cases where people five years ago were contributing to food banks. And now they have to go into food pantries to -- to complement what they can afford to buy at a grocery store for their children. That's why it's so important that we do things like provide tax credits for the working poor, so, if somebody's got an $8-an-hour job, that they can get a little bit of extra income that they can use to get their car fixed or maybe enroll in a program as a dental hygienist.

Food banks can provide that kind of assistance. You know, they can provide a couple bags of groceries. And, in fact, people who are struggling with unemployment and the current economy need also to have the supports that we can provide them through our government.

You know, some people -- some people are talking like, you know, the way to improve our economy is to cut programs for poor people. This is bunk. First, we need to help people who are struggling get a leg up. That's good for the economy, for everybody.

And the programs that help poor people are tiny in relationship to the federal budget. So, we need to strengthen those programs, make them work as -- just as effectively as we can for poor people, at this time of real crisis for many families."

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/social_issues/july-dec10/worldfood_11-26.html

Session 12 & 13

The economy today is in horrible shape, worse than its been in a very long time, even for people who never before thought of themselves as poor.  Of course, the book defines poor in terms of material deprivation, and for some of the newly-“impoverished” middle class, it might not have reached that stage, perhaps more of a debt crisis.

Speaking of debt crisis, how to reconcile the intense criticism of the out-of-control federal debt with the inexplicable views on tax breaks for the rich. There is consensus on continuing tax breaks for everyone up to $200k/individually or $250k/family, notwithstanding the adverse impact on the deficit, but how to explain the push to extend tax breaks for the tiny percentage of super-rich?

Besides unemployment, which is a natural and justified concern, the Obama administration was slammed also for the stimulus and “bailouts,” even though much of this began under Bush. Every economist I’ve heard interviewed agrees that the stimulus helped to avoid another Great Depression.  As for bailouts, is the criticism because some of it went to banks—which I can understand—or for any federal spending to prop up the economy? This question is relevant because I wonder whether there is any political viability in reforming further, let alone increasing, any programs to help the poor? Would people view that differently because the recipients are in need? Or is any spending anathema?

It seems like everyone will be focused on cutting back, if only to preserve their political careers, letting the poor (and most others) fend for themselves.

Session 11

Did you know that Georgia is the 5th leading in the nation of people without health care insurance? Health care one of the leading problems in the United states today. There are so many adults and children that are going without health care because they cannot no afford it. Health care insurance is very expensive. Also, with what's going on in the economy, there being no jobs, and then the part time jobs that don't offer the benefits like they used too. For a family who has health insurance and cannot afford to pay their health care premiums, they are likely to be dropped from their plan, depending on how many people are covered on the plan. I think that the Health Care Reform Law is a great thing for the US, especially during this time with the economy being has bad as it is. Health care is going to be more affordable and well help all Americans have coverage. Everyone deserves to have the proper treatment to be treated for whatever might come their way. It is so sad that there are people who get sick cannot afford to pay for the best treatment and end up getting worse or even dying. The Health Care Reform Law will hopefully change this and make things better for people here in America.

Session 9

1. So far from what I have learned from the class and what I've gotten out of the textbook my view of who's poor is the same. 
2. I feel as though my view on this topic has not changed as well.
3. Overall I feel the government plays a huge role in why people these days are poor. If they would find more ways to help and do more things to help the poor, I feel as though poverty could be decreased.  Everyone has different reasons as to why people poor and what to do to help the ones in need, which is why it is difficult for people to come up with a way to help everyone in need.
4. I feel as though poverty in other countries is taken more serious than it is here in American. There's a great deal of poverty hear in American, and you always here about what people are doing to help these 3rd world countries. but what you don't hear to often is people helping here in America. 
5. I feel as though poverty will never really be taken care of, but if it could get better than it would help a great deal. There needs to be a way to make the school systems better and have more jobs available for people (which I know will come in time, as the economy gets better).  This will never happen over night but hopefully as the economy starts to get better poverty in America will as well.

Session 7

I was so surprised while reading this section but, in Atlanta 63% of hourly jobs pay less than $10.50 an hour and the other 29% pay less than $7.50 an hour. With these amounts it is almost impossible for a family of four (which is this typical American family) to live above the poverty line. There needs to be a set wage that would accommodate to the family of four. They should also consider raising the hourly wage so people can be above the poverty line. I feel if the government would look into those things it could help people get above the poverty line.

Session 6

People in the US and globally are poor for so many reasons, but recently here in the U.S one of the main reasons is the downfall in the economy, the lack of jobs, and the amount of people getting fired and laid off. The more I read about poverty the more I realize that things are a lot worse than what I had originally thought.  In the U.S. there 1 in 7 Americans that are in living in poverty, and it is not getting any better. People are having to rely on what they have to make it in todays world, and if you don't have much saved or know one to help you out, than your stuck in tough situation and left with counting on the government, which at that point is scary! I think during this time with lack of jobs that there needs to be more programs to help aid people who are in poverty.

Session 5

America is one of the richest countries in the world, and because there is poverty here in American I can only imagine what poverty is like in other countries. Africa, South Asia, East Asia, Latin America, Caribbean's, East Europe, Central Asia, Middle East, and North Africa. Thats the order of countries from highest to lowest based on the amount of poverty the countries have. Imaging taking the amount of money you make and cut that in half, thats how people in Africa live. Although America is one of the richest countries in the world, it still has an insane high rate of poverty compared to some of the other countries. I would not think that America would have such a high rate compared to the others, given again, that America is one of the richest countries. One of the reasons why there are so many people in poverty is; people in poverty or at least with low incomes such that they need to be on a strict budget, they may tend to go for lower-paying but fixed-pay jobs rather than potentially higher-paying and upward-mobility type jobs with variable pay. Again, when you must make a certain minimum for your basic budgetary needs, you can't afford to risk a job with uncertain pay.

Session 4

 Things today in the U.S. are not what they were 10 years ago, and I feel as though there is still not enough being done because there more and more people are dropping into poverty. I heard on NPR the other day, that between 2001-2009, the average middle class income declined by 5%. That percentage decline is unprecedented since the Great Depression--which reinforces that this "recession" is the worst since then. Of course, that statistic is about the middle class, but because the current US definition of poverty is absolute (fixed dollar amount) rather than relative (compared to general standard of living, which presumably has declined along with the economy), likely there are many people who have dropped from "middle class" into "poverty." 

Session 4

 Things today in the U.S. are not what they were 10 years ago, and I feel as though there is still not enough being done because there more and more people are dropping into poverty. I heard on NPR the other day, that between 2001-2009, the average middle class income declined by 5%. That percentage decline is unprecedented since the Great Depression--which reinforces that this "recession" is the worst since then. Of course, that statistic is about the middle class, but because the current US definition of poverty is absolute (fixed dollar amount) rather than relative (compared to general standard of living, which presumably has declined along with the economy), likely there are many people who have dropped from "middle class" into "poverty." 

Session 3

I was on the way to school this morning when  I was listening to the radio and I heard them talking about how the number of people in poverty in America has greatly increased since 2008. In 2008-2009 the number  was 4 million people below the poverty line, but today in 2010 the total number of people in poverty is 4.4 million people, that is a lot of people. While hearing this, I was thinking that the people in poverty are probably the people who are not very educated, but to find out I was wrong. The people in poverty are in order from black, hispanic, and then white. From reading different articles to hearing different things on news/radio/television the people who are in poverty will probably stay in poverty for the next 20 years. It is really sad that the government isn't doing more to help all these people get out of poverty and keep people from coming into poverty. The United States needs to be doing a lot more when dealing with poverty. If they don't step it up, the number is only going to increase.

What Should be Done?

I am not informed enough to create a flawless policy to cure poverty but I do feel certain current methods can be improved. For example, the housing help should be more readily available but the terms given to the residents should be followed and strictly enforced. This will cut back on it abuse, allowing the policy to work and stay in place. Another area that should be improved on is the amount of quality education opportunities for our children. Allowing every child to get a proper education is important to their future success. While touching on the subject of children, I feel like there should be some sort of policy made to control the birth rate. I do not know the right answer to this, keeping in mind our rights as citizens. But some ideas I do have are determining the number of children a family is allowed to have based on their combined income. I don't know how something like this could be monitored and implemented, but in general there needs to be more time and money spent on the issue of poverty. It is huge around the world and far to many people take it lightly just because it is not them. It is very serious and needs a lot of time and care applied to it until it is no longer a problem.

Is Poverty Getting Turned the Other Cheek?

More and more every day people are finding out about and realizing the severity of poverty. As of right now, I feel that there is not nearly enough action being taken towards ending poverty. In fact, though less and less, I feel the severity of poverty is down played and therefore not made a priority in the U.S.  My hope is that in the years to come the knowledge about poverty will spread and people everywhere will be more inclined to do something about it.

What is Being Done: Is it Enough?

For a third world country to get out of poverty they are ultimately forced to rely on outside help. I said forced because it is near impossible for one of these nations to come up with enough funds and support to build programs that are dedicated to curing poverty. As far as the U.S. is concerned, they are helping, not only foreign countries in need but it has some programs in place dedicated to helping the impoverished in America. Some of the things American's have set in place are the Food Stamp program, temporary assistance for the needy families, WICK for poor mothers, food programs in schools, and housing assistance, to name a few. Although I do not feel that this is nearly enough, I do know this is better than most and hopefully, as we become more informed, the help for poor people and third world countries will increase.

Why People are Poor.

There are numerous individual reasons why someone becomes poor but there are a few underlying factors that I feel are most important to touch on. The majority of poor people became that way because they were either never given a decent chance or they were never taught how to manage their live and their money. For example if a child is born into an impoverished family they are automatically forced to defy the odds. They are never taught how to make, save, or use their money wisely, unless a good example happens to enter their life. This means they are never given the same opportunity as others, starting them off a step behind. On the other side some people become poor because they take advantage of what they are given. These people are given everything their whole lives until they abuse this, leaving them, an usually, their loved ones with nothing. This is when people spend all of their money on wants instead of needs until they have no money for their needs. This almost always leaves a person in debt which can easily lead to homelessness. While these scenarios are bad there is much worse that most people don't know about because they can't see it. This poverty takes place in third world countries. This extreme poverty can only be explained by history and continuous selfish leaders.

What is "Poor"?

Webster's Dictionary describes poverty as having a lack of money or material possessions: want. While I do agree with this broad definition, I feel like there is a more concise was of getting the real meaning of poverty across. Touching on the people and countries that are poor allows everyone to be more sensitive to the subject. My definition of poor is people who make minimum wage or less. People who are unable to meet their day to day needs financially, and countries who cannot meet the needs of it's citizens. An impoverished nation is a whole other level of poor because it applies to the majority of it's people not the minority like here in the United States.