What are the American Government really doing with the American people that are living in poverty?

Answer 1

Nothing positive worth mentioning.

To understand poverty in America, you have to look at why people are poor and how they can acquire more wealth. The issue confounding the poor is twofold: 1. Poverty has become an economic cycle in this country and 2. Those who are in positions to help don't want to make the sacrifice.

1. On average, 17% of Americans live in virtual poverty as determined by government estimates of the census. That's about 50 million people. Because our economy is not creating manufacturing jobs at a rate that will allow the 25 million or so of them able to work, (all those 18+) to be gainfully employed, the only way to find work is through garnering an education. Educated people have the opportunity and adaptable skills for professional managment positions that are in essence, endless.
The problem then is that the Government (federal, state and local), has yet to find a constitutional way to offer equal-quality education to everyone. Under the current scheme, public schools are paid for by local taxes (property and various other types). This causes inequality because most counties are populated by people with similar economic levels. This means some counties have more money (a lot more) for books, computers and teaching faculty. Thus, the rich get better access to educational tools and teachers. With the teachers being the most important element--if you want more teachers or better teachers, you have to pay for them. (Studies show that children learn and thrive with smaller class sizes and that requires more teachers--many more teachers--than there is money for in most places) When you couple this with the Government's insistence on students passing standardized tests to get promoted from grade to grade, poorer children are at a huge disadvantage. This also means that if you're poor you have less of a chance to graduate high school and get high enough College Aptitude test scores, thus you won't be going to college and you won't be climbing out of poverty.

2. Given all the factors above, the solution to these problems is sacrifice on the part of those with more wealth. The only way to achieve educaitional equality is to give each school system the same budget, regardless of county, in each state. Because budgets are funded with taxes, this would require a "yes" vote from the citizens of the state. Every time a similar measure has appeared on the ballot, those in the weatlthier counties vote "no" and funnel their money into campaigns that confuse the issue resulting in a majority "no" vote.

A second way for people in poverty to attain more, is to be paid a wage that would support their basic needs of food, shelter, clothing and utlities. In most places this is equal to $9-11 an hour or $17,000 annually. To create more jobs at this pay level, CEOs and Upper Executive management (only the people with seven-figure incomes) would have to take pay cuts of at least 5-10%. Because 38 million people live at the poverty level, the Government has to do something. "Entitlements" or the "New Deal" programs are all anyone in charge has come up with--but that was 60 years ago. So the question really becomes "What are Americans doing for the Americans living in poverty?

BTW: A full 50% or so of Americans have an annual household income of less than $50,000. And 60% of Americans have household annual incomes of less than $100,000. That's nearly 200 million people who are not rich by any means and would require some help from the government at some point in their lives. Mostly in the form of loans guaranteed by the treasury.

Answer 2

Most people that have incomes at or slightly below the poverty
level, do not take advantage of government aid.

The poverty level in the state I live in is 20,000 dollars a year.
Any one making less then that amount is able to take advantage
of state aid. Many of these people are trying to better themselves
by attending classes offered by the state or going to a
community college.in there area.

There is some abuse of the system, of course. That's to be
expected.

Then there are people like me. Retired, making less then
1400 dollars a year. What do you expect me to do?

Some of you may have read one of the answers I wrote where
I told what my educational background is, and may wonder
what the hell happened. The answer is I happened. And I
take responsibility for that (bad investments).

The point is I need some assistant and I utilize the help the
state offers.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and have a nice day.

Thank you very much, while you're up!!.

Answer 3

Most Americans and the Government loath the poor.

The best tool for the destruction of poverty is poor health. The Government has special programs to make sure the poor do not get health care.

Go big Red Go

Answer 4

Poverty doesnt mean true material hardship in America, most of those people would still have a relatively high standard of living with cell phones, refrigerators, tvs etc

Answer 5

I'm hoping that those who live in poverty take some personal responsibility for their living conditions and have the initiative to change it.

Answer 6

Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country! Around 56% of our budget in the last year has been spent on entitlements!