D#12, HW#2, Large Scale Revisions

None of my revisions copied over into this doc, so I'll email it when the revisions are completely finished.


D#10, HW#3, WP#3 Draft
Research Paper
Coralee Harding
14 November 2007
Poverty in America

There is a family living ten houses down from you. Do you know them? Last night they had to decide if they should buy groceries or put gas in their car. In fact, one out of every ten homes in the United States with this same problem (Triplett). On your way to work this morning you passed a man sitting on the street corner. Did you notice him? There was a 70% chance he was severely mentally handicapped, a United States veteran, or had children hiding in the shade behind the bushes (Triplett). While walking through the parking lot, finding your way into the store, you passed a parked car. That was somebody's home. The woman inside had no family or friends, no address to put on her welfare application. This woman was denied government aid because of it. Although the government of the United States of America provides welfare for their citizens suffering from poverty, it is not enough. What can Americans do to help solve this nation-wide problem, and how can the government provide more efficient, legitimate aid to people living in poverty?
Since 1935 the government has been trying to aid people suffering from poverty. They have tried several methods and passed several laws to help solve this issue. Some of the first attempts to give aid included poorhouses and orphanages. During this period of time, people would not accept the governments help unless they were extremely desperate. People who allowed the government's help, were often shunned and rejected by their friends and neighbors. A few years after the poorhouses opened, the "mother's pension" was put into act which gave money to single mothers to allow them to stay at home and raise their children. This did not include mothers who were divorced or minorities. In 1935 the Social Security Act was established and the welfare of the people was put into the hands of the federal government. These new laws established old-age pensions and unemployment insurance but did not include farm workers or servants. Since then, the divorce rate skyrocketed and single mothers with children were able to receive government aid. In 1996 welfare control was mostly given back to the states, and no longer a federal responsibility (Constitutional Rights Foundation).
Poverty is something that can happen to anyone. Nobody expects or wants to live life in poverty, and yet it effects over 2 million Americans per year. Poverty is an ongoing issue in America. Evidence shows that 10% of families living in this nation struggle with poverty (Triplett). Chances are that you have a friend, coworker, or relative living in poverty. These people may not appear to be struggling, but behind closed doors they suffer. For families who have a working parent, it is very hard for them to qualify for government aid. These families are below the average income of $52, 704, but above the poverty average of $18, 400 If these families are lucky enough to qualify for a government food assistance program, such as food stamps, the average amount of redeemable food stamps is $2.34 per day, per person (Library Index). It is extremely difficult to eat three healthy, well balanced meals for $7.02 a day.
The majority of people suffering from poverty are people who deserve government aid the most. 40% of people living in poverty are families, 30% are substance abusers, 23% are severely mentally ill, and 10% are veterans. 17% of those in poverty are employed (Triplett). Most families living in poverty are headed by a single mother. Studies show that singles mothers are most likely to live in poverty for long periods of time(Triplett). Substance abuse is a huge issue in America, especially among teenagers. The teens who are addicted to drugs or alcohol are the ones you will most likely see living in the streets as adults. Severely mentally ill people usually have no control over their financial situation. These people are often overlooked as people in need of aid. Not every mentally ill person has somebody to look after them, and are forced to live a confused life on the streets. Veterans deserve so much more than what they are given by the government. They deserve to be respected and admired, not viewed as just another homeless person.
One major downfall of the government's welfare program is it's capability to cause dependancy. "75 percent of all welfare recipients remain on the program five years or longer." (LeadershipU) Some critics believe if we cut off all government aid from the people, it will force those in poverty to become more self reliant. Welfare and food stamps are meant for people to use in emergency situations, and to help them get back on their feet. Yet many people on welfare are abusing their benefits. "A study by the Congressional Budget Office showed that long periods of welfare dependency can actually reduce a child’s IQ by as much as 20 percent." (LeadershipU). Children living in poverty, and who rely on government welfare, often feel that they will live in the same condition when they are adults and do not strive to become better. If there were no welfare programs for people living in poverty, some believe there would be less people allowing themselves to suffer in poverty and relying on the government's aid. This is why the government must improve the welfare program. They must create a program that is for people who really need assistance, and only for a short period of time in most circumstances.
After nearly 100 years of attempting to aid the poor, the government has yet to succeed. The number of people receiving welfare has gone down over the years, but the restrictions to receive aid has gone up. Major changes must be made in the way that the government handles poverty. There are two groups of people who have the ultimate power to change the life of those suffering. The United States government and American voters. The government can construct laws, and voters have the ability to pass or petition them. Americans also have the ability to aid on a more personal level.
To lower the number of people living in poverty, there must be changes made within the government. There needs to be more easily attainable aid for people who need and deserve it. Instead of increasing the restrictions to receive aid, the restrictions should be lowered and monitored more carefully. Government aid should not be a permanent crutch for people to lean on, but a short-term support system for people in poverty.
In the welfare programs currently, people can apply for welfare or food stamps and if they meet the right qualifications, they receive their stamps and/or money once a month. Instead of giving away money or food redeemable coupons, the government can provide short-term jobs. This will force people to earn their money and in turn they will value it more. Special occupations can be set aside for people in poverty such as working in public libraries, post offices, picking up trash on the streets, roadway construction, and other various government jobs. By doing this, the government will be receiving a service for the money that they are now giving out. Employers can also volunteer simple employment positions and allow the government to fill those positions with people struggling with poverty. This will allow families to live better lives. One issue that could arise from this is that many people in poverty do not own vehicles or have transportation to get to and from work. To solve this issue the government could provide a short-term bus pass that is usable until they receive their first paycheck.
Changes also need to be made to accommodate the homeless. Right now the government requires that you provide an address on the welfare application. If a homeless person does not have a family member or a friends address that they can provide, they are not eligible to receive government aid. This ensures that the homeless will stay homeless and does not help them in any way. Instead of receiving their money or food stamps by mail, they can be held at the post office for the person to pick up, or at a local government office.
The government needs to require schools to educate students on the widespread issue of poverty. This will help children to understand the negative effects of poverty. They can also be taught how to receive long-lasting jobs so they will lower their chances of falling into poverty. This will also teach children how to get out of poverty if they are ever involved in it. By doing this, it will lower the number of people living in poverty in the future by the thousands.
In Arizona there is a large facility organized by a church called Randolph. It is similar to an assisted living facility for the elderly, but it is specifically for the severely mentally disabled. There are several small cabin-like homes where four to five mentally ill people occupy each one. There are trained assistants assigned to each of these homes. Several church groups and other organizations come and visit these people and volunteer during meals and activities. This facility is being forced to close due to lack of funding. The government is able to help fund this program and help keep it open, essentially keeping more mentally disabled people out of poverty, but they do not. It would also be beneficial if the government would open more facilities like this one to aid the mentally disabled.
We, as Americans, are given the ability to vote. Several people, however, do not take advantage of it. Unlike several countries, Americans have the power to pass or petition laws. By carefully choosing the laws that are passed, Americans can make the difference in the lives of others, in their own lives, and the lives of those in poverty. When people do not vote, they are placing their future in the hands of those that do vote, who may have a different opinion.
Another way that Americans can get involved in helping aid people in poverty is by volunteering. There is a charity center in Mesa, Arizona called the Humanitarian Organization. Everybody who works there is an unpaid, and anybody is welcome to volunteer. They iron fabric, cut it into squares, design, and then sew quilts for adults and children who cannot afford them. Nobody working there is a professional quilt maker, but if a person is freezing, they don't care what the quilt looks like, as long as it keeps them warm and alive. They recently started producing hand-knit hats for babies. Since they started delivering them, the babies were able to keep a normal body temperature, and their death rate has decreased (Markland A4). There are also canneries that produce and can food for the homeless, as well as food banks and other charitable organizations that are always in need of volunteers. If a person does not have time to help by volunteering, monetary donations are accepted to all of these places.
Poverty is an issue that may never be completely solved. There are major changes that need to be made by the government, and by people living in poverty for it to be fixed. Improvements need to be made to the welfare program, and new, more helpful programs need to be established. Although the United States government has made changes and reforms to welfare, they have not been very effective. There are always people who need government aid who get left out. To solve this problem it takes the government to create the laws, and the American people to put them into effect.