Ideas for a strategy for reducing poverty
2006-12-12 03:34:39 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Economics
Is education the key? If so how can we fix it?
2006-12-12 11:48:34 · update #1
Abstinence education to reduce the number of children born to single mothers would be a big help, but the problem is much deeper than that.
2006-12-12 03:37:58 · answer #1 · answered by Heatmizer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poverty is essentially dictated by two things: Education & Opportunity.
We need serious education reform. Not just throwing more money at it, but reforming it completely. First item on the agenda is school choice. Until schools have to start worrying about whether they will be able to stay open and keep their jobs, there will be no serious improvement. Because right now, the schools are too involved in helping themselves (the teachers and administrators) first!
School choice works in foreign countries that routinely beat the US in international test scores. The money goes with the kid to whatever school the parent wants to put them in. It works!
Secondly is opportunity. We need to do everything we can to expand the economy. We're doing good right now, and the recent numbers show it. Census data indicates the poorest 20% in this country gained ground with higher wages (inflation adjusted) in 2004 and 2005. As long as we can keep the economy growing, and unemployment low, wages will keep rising. To do this, we need to keep cutting taxes for all. We need to do more to keep the government out of business, and let them do what they do best.
2006-12-12 06:56:48 · answer #2 · answered by Uncle Pennybags 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poverty is defined as having income below a certain level to provide basic nutrition to a family. The income calculation used to figure poverty does not include the value those in poverty receive from government assistance or charitable organizations. If the income calculation were adjusted to include such things, the percentage of people (currently around 12-13%) would go down.
2006-12-12 06:40:18 · answer #3 · answered by ZepOne 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eliminate income taxes. Implement a national sales tax.
Reduce social programs the promote not working.
Implement programs that encourage small business
These should done at local/state and federal levels.
2006-12-12 03:39:49 · answer #4 · answered by Archer Christifori 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put more money into education. Build more schools, pay for better teachers, and give them the tools they need to teach the kids.
2006-12-12 03:39:21 · answer #5 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋