What steps can a government take to end poverty?
Government really cannot "end" poverty, because poverty is relative to different regions, and depends on what type of community you live in. Like, were American Indians living in poverty, when they were discovered by Europeans? If your neighbor has a larger house than you, and has two cars, when you don't even own a car, are you living in "poverty?" The federal government has "monetary" standards that determine poverty, like if a family of four doesn't earn over say $25,000 a year, then they are in "poverty." But, could they also be living better off, than a family making $10,000 more, who are very poor at spending, borrowing, and not using their limited income well,? But, back to question, the whole nation benefits, and the "rising tide" will raise all ships, when there are better educational opportunities for all. When students are trained in usable skills, that employers demand, then workers will earn higher incomes, and raise their standard of living. Making sure that our money supply is well used, to create jobs, and slow down the movement of capital to foreign nations, will also help increase available money and capital for raising the standard of living, for more people on our nation. Poverty (or standard of living) can be affected by good laws, and spending that keeps the nation's citizens healthy (good food and health care) and well educated, or trained in skills so that citizens can be self-sufficient, and mobile, so they may move from one area to another. Equal opportunity, and good courts also help prevent the "strong" from exploiting the poor. Maybe these ideas will help you think of others things that govt may do.
Is there a plan to stop Poverty that will work?
“Them that’s got shall get, them that’s not shall lose. So the Bible says, and it still is news…” as the Billie Holiday song goes.As long as there are those in power who practice tactics that restrict others’ access to education, quality health care, clean water, etc., the poor will be among us.As long as there are parents who abuse their children and leave everlasting scars, the poor will be among us.As long as societies do not provide adequate treatment for mental illness, including addiction, the poor will be among us.As long as individuals are disenfranchised because of the color of their skin, their nation of origin, their sexual orientation, etc., the poor will be among us.I am an idealist.I worked for several years on a study that was investigating rural poverty in America. The reasons poverty exists are so complex: on an individual level, a community level to the national level. One-size-fits-all policies are ineffective. The end of poverty seems like such a Utopian ideal. Until the current power structure changes across the globe, I see no end in sight. This makes me profoundly sad.
What are the best ways of getting out of poverty?
Honestly, you cannot escape poverty. I've seen poverty and, to some extent, lived it. But I know that I will never be homeless, starving, etc. So, you could say that I have never experienced true poverty. But I will tell you this. Those whom I know who were truly poor BUILT their way out of it. They did not escape it. They did things that I would never have the guts or even the physical strength to do.I will give you one example. I teach illiterate adults basic reading and comprehension skills (at no charge). One of my earliest students was a youngish man. We were both in our thirties at the time, though he was a few years younger than I was. He came to the library (which provided materials and space for the class) in a BMW. He had a stunningly beautiful wife. He told me that he lived in a million-dollar home. Yet he was illiterate. He was intelligent, but not brilliant. And he grew up poor -- poverty beyond my experience. He was, quite literally, born on the streets. By the time he was able to walk, speak, etc. his parents had vanished. He survived, somehow -- I have no idea how -- until he was ten, just wandering the streets. Then he started to sell flowers that he had either stolen or that someone had given him. He made very little money this way. Then someone gave him a box of vitamin bottles -- 100 bottles -- for free. How and why, I don't know. He sold these 100 bottles by going door to door, in ONE DAY. This was in Miami. It is hot there. And a little boy wandering around, half-naked, selling stuff door to door, is not welcome in most places. But he managed to do this for YEARS. He finally saved enough money to buy himself a house, when he was in his twenties. So, for more than TWENTY YEARS, this guy literally lived on the streets.I think I would die in my first 20 hours, on the streets. He finally married a beautiful, educated woman who had a good job. He got himself a job as a grounds-keeper. And he had been employed for 10 years or so when his wife finally convinced him to become literate. I still have a t-shirt that he gave me as a gift when we were done.So, my friend, you can build yourself a way out of poverty. It is difficult. But it can be done. Frankly, I don't know if I could do it. But I hope you do. I am not a rich guy myself. But let me know if I can help, in any way.
What are some pros and cons for a resolution to end poverty in America?
The point is that you're talking about the USA. A lot of people in the US don't like laws. They want the world to turn out right just by itself. But that's never going to happen. A country needs laws, but a law against poverty will affect the rich too, in a negative way. And the rich are the people with power. And, what kind of resolution should it be? Everyone gets the same salary? That's communism, and that doesn't work either. If everyone gets the same amount of money, why would you still try your best? This sorts of things are really hard to do in the US.