Eradicating Poverty in the United States

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   gmwilliamsposted 6 years ago

   
   What are sensible programs to eradicate socioeconomic poverty in the United States?  How can Americans have at THE LEAST a SUSTAINABLE MIDDLE CLASS income? What steps should be implement to prevent future poverty in the United States?

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      Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Stop things like...billionaires getting farm subsidies while Snap benefits are lessened. Venture capitalists engineer corporate takeovers where they bleed the company of assets (to the quick enrichment of themselves) then file bankruptcy...causing loss of income for thousands of employees. Roll back programs we've seen arise over the years where we once went to the bank, applied for a mortgage and paid a nominal fee, but now mortgage brokers exist adding a heavy layer of fees to the process. Fairly tax .com companies so they pay a reasonable share. Hold multi national corporations to some standard where lower level employees can expect a guaranteed share of profits go to that level pay, pension or bonus.
      
      Capitalism is a grand thing, when it functions ethically.

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   2. 78

      wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      LOL  If we could suddenly guarantee a middle class income to every person, that level would be defined as "poverty".  Until every dime earned is put into a pot and doled out equal to every person there will always be "poverty".  By definition.

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         Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Yes. Let's point out how we calculate middle class and poor. Forget the fact that some have no food or shelter. No access to health care for major conditions. Because,seriously, if they made enough to cover these basic needs they'd be 'poor' by your calculations so the question of how to raise peopleto a better standard of living is foolish.

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         1. 78

            wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            You cannot "raise people to a better standard of living".  Only they can do that.  The most you can do is lend a helping hand - in the long term unlimited charity will serve only to lower everyone to the same level, not raise anyone.
            
            Giving free fish to everyone that wants it means more people have to fish.

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               Live to Learnposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               Giving people money is not the same thing as ensuring the society they live in isn't stacked against them. The middle class is dying primarily because the deck is currently stacked against them. Responsible reforms would protect those who aren't money hungry. Those who would like a decent living wage for work performed.
               
               Our current system is failing those whose backs prop it up.

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               1. 85

                  gmwilliamsposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  Excellent discussion all.  Continue the discussion.  Have a great day, all.

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               2. 78

                  wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  I have to disagree there.  The middle class is doing fine, given that their greed always wants more than they have.
                  
                  The problem is the lower class that will work, but won't gather the skills for a decent job.  It is the youth that demands a $50,000 starting wage.  The single parent that won't chase down their spouse, while demanding their children get all the benefits of middle class. 
                  
                  There are lots and lots of reasons for poverty, but if we remove the truly disabled from the pot it almost (almost!) always comes down to choices they have made, not to society.  IMO.

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