What is the best way to help our fellow countrymen out of poverty?

2015-09-16T20:58:18-04:00

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/1f98614d165d4b53a57e6c01ed8db1f1/census-poverty-numbers-stay-just-about-same

Census: Income, poverty numbers stay just about the same

WASHINGTON (AP) — The wallets of America's middle class and poorest aren't seeing any extra money, the U.S. Census reported Wednesday, a financial stagnation experts say may be fueling political dissent this campaign season.…

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Sep 16 at 2015 9:14 PM

2015-09-16T21:14:06-04:00

It's been said many times by many people, You can't make a poor man rich by making a rich man poor.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 16 at 2015 9:14 PM

2015-09-16T21:14:28-04:00

There's a lot of problems with the issue that really can't be addressed with "simple" terms.

First off is how we define poverty. Below for reference:

http://www.irp.wisc.edu/faqs/faq1.htm

But for ease of use, let's call it $6k per year (the threshold changes when you get more dependents). Next comes into "Adjusted Income" or "Cost of Living" based on local.

Living in a major metropolitan area is going to cost more than a rural area. That's going to change the perception of what a "Living Wage" is.

Then we get into population itself. Poverty is the direct result of population. When you have children being born into economic conditions that are unsustainable, then they will perpetuate, until the cycle is broken, normally through education, and/or getting out of the area where they are from.

So what is the "cure?" There isn't one. It's a socio-economic problem. Instead we have to look for a "vaccine." Reduce birth-rate in poverty stricken area, increase education in same areas until they are "healthy."

What are Poverty Thresholds and Poverty Guidelines? | Institute for Research on Poverty |...

IRP, at the UW-Madison, is a center for interdisciplinary research into the causes and consequences of poverty and social inequality in the United States. As one of three National Poverty Research Centers sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, IRP has a particular interest in poverty and family welfare in Wisconsin as well as the nation.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 9:27 PM

2015-09-16T21:27:01-04:00

Benjamin Franklin has my ear in the Price of Corn and Management of the Poor (The London Chronicle, 29 Nov 1766)

"I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I travelled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer. There is no country in the world where so many provisions are established for them; so many hospitals to receive them when they are sick or lame, founded and maintained by voluntary charities; so many alms-houses for the aged of both sexes, together with a solemn general law made by the rich to subject their estates to a heavy tax for the support of the poor. Under all these obligations, are our poor modest, humble, and thankful; and do they use their best endeavours to maintain themselves, and lighten our shoulders of this burthen? On the contrary, I affirm that there is no country in the world in which the poor are more idle, dissolute, drunken, and insolent. The day you passed that act, you took away from before their eyes the greatest of all inducements to industry, frugality, and sobriety, by giving them a dependance on somewhat else than a careful accumulation during youth and health, for support in age or sickness. In short, you offered a premium for the encouragement of idleness, and you should not now wonder that it has had its effect in the increase of poverty. Repeal that law, and you will soon see a change in their manners. "

http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-13-02-0194

Founders Online: “Arator”: On the Price of Corn, and Management of the Poor, [2…

“Arator”: On the Price of Corn, and Management of the Poor, [29 November 1766]

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Sep 16 at 2015 9:59 PM

2015-09-16T21:59:46-04:00

teach them how to work, read, and make decisions. teach them how to fail and how to win. instill pride and determination. offer doable ways for people to earn good/fresh food/housing by helping others or their government. teach them how to become more valuable so they will be able to compete for good jobs.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Sep 17 at 2015 1:06 AM

2015-09-17T01:06:14-04:00

Stop giving them subsidies....start drug testing everyone on these subsidies i.e., welfare, food stamps, etc.... Don't give out free money for ever like they are...make it for a certain period of time....make them accountable for their ways....their actions...what they've been trying to do to get a job....so much is offered to those making under $20 K per year...or even $30 K per year....these people get so used to getting hand outs...and the government just keeps handing it out...here you go...see you next month...STOP IT! Put them on a time table....and make them show proof of their actions...make them more responsible.
The poorer you are, the more you get from the government...they get free buss passes or only have to pay a DIME for a ride. ALL of these people could be going to school....finishing up and getting their GED's...or if they finished high school, they could get all kinds of money for college...each semester each one of them can get nearly $6000 per semester! that's enough to pay for tuition, by their books and even pay some of their bills/living expenses....but PEOPLE Don't want to do it...they want to be lazy and do nothing other than DRINKING/DOING DRUGS...being lazy...and UNFORTUNATELY MANY MANY MANY of these people DON'T pay attention to their 3 to 7 kids and the kids grow up to be the same...

I see this...I hear about this...I know for a fact it goes on....it's a never ending VISCOUS circle...a merry go round....and no one wants to jump off...so you ask "how can we help those in poverty" They have all the help they need...they need to JUMP off of the FREAKING MERRY GO ROUND...and help themselves.

Ok...so I got started, but I'll stop now, or I'll just keep on going.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 17 at 2015 8:19 AM

2015-09-17T08:19:52-04:00

Empowerment is the way. I am not talking about just handing them a "band-aid". I am talking about equipping them with the tools that they need to succeed: education, vocational training etc. It goes back to that childhood saying about teaching someone to fish...

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Sep 17 at 2015 10:28 AM

2015-09-17T10:28:31-04:00

Tithe and teach them purpose.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 17 at 2015 2:58 PM

2015-09-17T14:58:25-04:00

So long as government handouts exist many people will always be "poor". In fact there are so many freebies available that many of the "poor" live pretty well. I have lived at my current address for a little over ten years and my next door neighbors are a great example. There are three generations living there and in the over ten years that I have known them only the grandmother has ever had a job and that was years ago. I don't know how much they get altogether but they can afford two cars, big screen TV, computers, smart phones, steaks to grill etc. As long as situations like that exist you can't expect them to work.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 18 at 2015 9:45 PM

2015-09-18T21:45:24-04:00

Make them work for a living rather than give them handouts. http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Sams-Plantation-Government-Enslaves/dp/ [login to see] /ref=la_B000APX9WG_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=1-1

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 7:18 PM

2015-09-24T19:18:35-04:00

Start a business and create jobs!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 7:21 PM

2015-09-24T19:21:58-04:00

Teach them "to fish," NOT give them a fish. That's for sure. We need to give people a hand up (a job, perhaps), NOT a hand out.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Oct 6 at 2016 8:44 AM

2016-10-06T08:44:36-04:00

I know many say teach them how to fish, and not fish, I say give them fish while they are learning how to fish. Sometimes people need a slight boost.