Discrimination and racism are two things that everyone is familiar with, but I'm not quite sure if anyone really knows the differences between the two.
Discrimination- the pre-judgement and negative treatment of people based on identifiable characteristics such as race, gender, religion, age, disablitiy, etc.
Racism- discrimination against and prejudicial treatment of a racially different minority group.
On the other hand, one definition you probably haven't heard of (I hadn't) is institutional racism.
Institutional Racism- A pattern of racial discrimination that is strongly entrenched in a society.
Between 2000 and 2005, Atlanta's immigrant population grew by 37.8%. However, it decreased by almost 1% from 2006-2007 likely because of the economic slowdown. In the US, the illegal immigrant population grew by 2 million between 2000-2005. Surprisingly, Georgia had the largest amount of illegal population increase in between those five years. Not surprising, California houses the most number of illegal immigrants.
Despite what many may believe, the influx of the Hispanic population has remained consistent and the main shift has been from European immigrants to now Asian immigrants.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1996 doubled the size of the border patrol.
Since the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001 security measures have dramatically increased and thousands have been deported due to immigration violations.
In 2006, Congress passed a law increasing border patrol and authorized 700 miles of fencing.
I think that using the proposed "Fair Tax" would be a great way to be able to tax everyone proportionately, including illegal immigrants. This is something I would suggest (question 5). This would create an increase in tax revenue for the American government and hopefully some of this money could be spent sustaining and possibly creating new programs for the poor in America (question 5).
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Session 13
Housing for the needy and other development policies for communities are extremely important to not only those who are in need of the housing, but also for those in the surrounding areas of the housing. Homeless shelters and government subsidized housing are both often placed in poor areas because those establishments will eventually lead to a decline in property value for the area yet an increase in the crime rate for the neighborhood.
The Housing Act of 1937 was the first comprehensive federal housing legislative. It's main goals were to eradicate the slums and other unsanitary housing conditions.This legislative also created U.S. Housing Authority as well as public housing. In 1974 the country had a new plan, the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Instead of focusing on establishing housing and making living better, this act focused on the community by revitalizing neighborhoods and improving or creating community facilities and services.
In public housing, the residents pay 30% of monthly adjusted income on rent. There are more than 13,000 public housing developments in 3,400 locations in the United States. Section 8 Housing Vouchers allow low income families to occupy more dispersed private housing and will cover the remaining charge of rent after the renter pays their 30% monthly adjusted income. The Section 8 is the largest housing assistance program in the US.
The section 8 vouchers I think are a great idea because they help eliminate my first thoughts that I mentioned in this session. By allowing low income families to live in more affluent areas, they adults have greater access to job opportunities and are able to live in a safer area. However, only one in three eligible families actually get the assistance. I realized that housing assitance was offered, but I didn't know the names of the housing in my original posting (question 3). I really think that the housing vouchers are a great idea, so this is one way that the US is really doing a great job (question 4). I think this program should be extended to be able to house more families, the voucher is an alternative to spending money creating new housing solutions (question 5).
I was very surprised to find that most who are facing critical housing needs are actually living in the suburbs (43%) compared to while 40% lived in central cities. In a ranking of 31 metro areas, Atlanta ranks 12th for critical housing need.
The Housing Act of 1937 was the first comprehensive federal housing legislative. It's main goals were to eradicate the slums and other unsanitary housing conditions.This legislative also created U.S. Housing Authority as well as public housing. In 1974 the country had a new plan, the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Instead of focusing on establishing housing and making living better, this act focused on the community by revitalizing neighborhoods and improving or creating community facilities and services.
In public housing, the residents pay 30% of monthly adjusted income on rent. There are more than 13,000 public housing developments in 3,400 locations in the United States. Section 8 Housing Vouchers allow low income families to occupy more dispersed private housing and will cover the remaining charge of rent after the renter pays their 30% monthly adjusted income. The Section 8 is the largest housing assistance program in the US.
The section 8 vouchers I think are a great idea because they help eliminate my first thoughts that I mentioned in this session. By allowing low income families to live in more affluent areas, they adults have greater access to job opportunities and are able to live in a safer area. However, only one in three eligible families actually get the assistance. I realized that housing assitance was offered, but I didn't know the names of the housing in my original posting (question 3). I really think that the housing vouchers are a great idea, so this is one way that the US is really doing a great job (question 4). I think this program should be extended to be able to house more families, the voucher is an alternative to spending money creating new housing solutions (question 5).
I was very surprised to find that most who are facing critical housing needs are actually living in the suburbs (43%) compared to while 40% lived in central cities. In a ranking of 31 metro areas, Atlanta ranks 12th for critical housing need.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Session 12
I knew in a basic context what social security was and it's reasons: if a bread-winner dies, if you lose your job, if you retire, or if you're disabled and I also knew some money came out of my bi-weekly paycheck for it. However, I was previously unaware of it's inter-workings and how/why it was becoming extinct.
Quick Social Security Facts:
The social security payroll tax is 12.4%, the employee pays 7.65% on their first $102,000 of earnings.
You have to have worked 40 quarters (10 years) before you can draw benefits.
Almost all people are eligible for Medicaid (regardless if you payed into Social Security)
It is one of America's most successful anti-poverty programs.
Before 1983, it was "pay-as-you-go"
After 1983, it became a trust fund.
Fiscal trouble started in the 1970's.
There were previously 16.6 people -to- 1.
Now there are only 3.3 people -to- 1.
They will have to raise taxes, or cut government spending to keep the program.
The trust fund is projected to be depleted in 2041.
Social security is the only income source for 1/5th of the elderly.
Privitization is one projected "save."
However, this would greatly hurt those who rely solely on the Social Security Trust Fund.
I was right when I originally stated (in question 5) that social security should remain in place, and if this is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs, it is obviously one thing the government has done to address poverty (question 4). Although privatization would be a bonus for those in good economic standing, privatization of funds would definitely hurt those who are nearly or already in poverty.
What are your thoughts on the privatization of these funds?
Quick Social Security Facts:
The social security payroll tax is 12.4%, the employee pays 7.65% on their first $102,000 of earnings.
You have to have worked 40 quarters (10 years) before you can draw benefits.
Almost all people are eligible for Medicaid (regardless if you payed into Social Security)
It is one of America's most successful anti-poverty programs.
Before 1983, it was "pay-as-you-go"
After 1983, it became a trust fund.
Fiscal trouble started in the 1970's.
There were previously 16.6 people -to- 1.
Now there are only 3.3 people -to- 1.
They will have to raise taxes, or cut government spending to keep the program.
The trust fund is projected to be depleted in 2041.
Social security is the only income source for 1/5th of the elderly.
Privitization is one projected "save."
However, this would greatly hurt those who rely solely on the Social Security Trust Fund.
I was right when I originally stated (in question 5) that social security should remain in place, and if this is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs, it is obviously one thing the government has done to address poverty (question 4). Although privatization would be a bonus for those in good economic standing, privatization of funds would definitely hurt those who are nearly or already in poverty.
What are your thoughts on the privatization of these funds?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Session 11
I was shocked to find out that the number of uninsured American's is steadily on the rise, now up to around 50.7 million. This is a number that has been steadily increasing since 2005. It was very interesting to find out that while private health insurers are losing business (about 1 million customers), the governmental health insurance plans have increased, up about four and a half million customers. I was also especially shocked to find out that it is in my age gap (from 18-24 years old) that have the largest percentage of uninsured Americans.
I was already well-aware that those who are uninsured are more likely to go to the hospital than a private practice, despite having a preventable condition. My mother works at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta and she has told me many times about the problems that the uninsured cause. Because emergency waiting rooms get so full, it is often difficult to distinguish which condition is more serious and this causes everyone to face wait time sometimes lasting for hours. The notes said that more than half of American's are concerned about the price of healthcare and I am assuming that at this time, the number is even greater.
Seeing as though children in poverty are almost twice as likely to be uninsured compared to other children, I think that poverty is NOT being handled that well (in an update to question 4.)
However, with Obama's new plan for healthcare being discussed, I do believe that positive change could happen. His plan is definitely something I would suggest to aid those facing poverty (update to question 6.)
I was already well-aware that those who are uninsured are more likely to go to the hospital than a private practice, despite having a preventable condition. My mother works at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta and she has told me many times about the problems that the uninsured cause. Because emergency waiting rooms get so full, it is often difficult to distinguish which condition is more serious and this causes everyone to face wait time sometimes lasting for hours. The notes said that more than half of American's are concerned about the price of healthcare and I am assuming that at this time, the number is even greater.
Seeing as though children in poverty are almost twice as likely to be uninsured compared to other children, I think that poverty is NOT being handled that well (in an update to question 4.)
However, with Obama's new plan for healthcare being discussed, I do believe that positive change could happen. His plan is definitely something I would suggest to aid those facing poverty (update to question 6.)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Session 9
After the Depression occurred in the United States, the New Deal programs were started by Roosevelt. These New Deal programs led to the creation of the Social Security Act and Public Assistance. Sadly, both of these programs are in need of a definite reevaluation. Throughout the years, there were many different names and types of what is now called TANF-Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. I was surprised to see that it was created in 1996 I had thought this was a much newer form of aid, but I greatly agree with the positive light they're shedding on being a part of the work force. Although previously dubbed as a liberal view, I believe being a part of the work force should be a necessity. You should atleast be attempting to help yourself before you ask for help from the government. With that said, I LOVE the idea of 1996 Welfare Reform Act (an update to question #4), although I'm not sure it's being executed quite the way it was proposed. I definitely believe that by showing a consistent work effort, people should receive assistance in the form of childcare and health benefits(a more specific answer for #5). This is definitely a great update to #3, especially since I even mentioned I was largely unaware of the programs in place.The Welfare program also teaches about teen pregnancy prevention which was a group that I had often thought of as a "who" in those who are poverty stricken. I was very surprised to see I had not noted them in my original answers to questions #1 and #2.
I was also surprised to see that you could only collect for 60 months, but this was an aspect I liked. This is aid in constingence to you working, this is not a lifetime of benefits. If someone is used to always getting things handed to them, they will have no reason to work harder and no real interest in moving up to get a raise. I am also very very glad to see that it has been working. Within three years, ( from 2000 to 20003) 845,000 people less were receiving this aid and employment of single mothers incresed 12% in five years.
I really think that the work the Welfare Reform Act is doing is really awesome and as an update to #5, I think that this is one type of aid that is working and should continue!
What do you now think is the most beneficial of the programs that have previously (or are still currently) in place?
I was also surprised to see that you could only collect for 60 months, but this was an aspect I liked. This is aid in constingence to you working, this is not a lifetime of benefits. If someone is used to always getting things handed to them, they will have no reason to work harder and no real interest in moving up to get a raise. I am also very very glad to see that it has been working. Within three years, ( from 2000 to 20003) 845,000 people less were receiving this aid and employment of single mothers incresed 12% in five years.
I really think that the work the Welfare Reform Act is doing is really awesome and as an update to #5, I think that this is one type of aid that is working and should continue!
What do you now think is the most beneficial of the programs that have previously (or are still currently) in place?
Friday, October 8, 2010
Session 7
In Atlanta, 63% of the hourly jobs pay less than $10.50/hr and 29% of the jobs pay less than $7.50.
Also, 6 out of the 10 fastest growing jobs in Atlanta pay less than $10.00 an hour. It costs a single adult approximately $1,449 a month to live a self-sufficient life in Atlanta, and it costs an adult with 2 young children approximately $3,601 a month. Although it has been suggested in the power point that the minimum wage should be raised to $10.00 an hour to better suit working class families, I'm not quite sure this would be the great fix that many believe. I think that raising the minimum wage so significantly would just lead to a decrease in the number that can be employed and an increase in the closing of small businesses. Although the workers would be more comfortable, the business owners would be striving to make ends meet to keep their business afloat. The current federal minimum wage is set at $7.25 and has been since July 24, 2009, and the current minimum wage in Georgia is $5.15. Of the workers in Georgia making $5.15 an hour, 85% of them are over the age of 20, and 51% of them are full-time employees. The current minimum rate for tipped workers is $2.13 an hour.
As far as our original question #5 is concerned, I am pleased to see that I did not include increasing the minimum wage as my first thoughts as to what should be done about poverty. I am very interested to find other proposed solutions, though. This is definitely not one of them in my book.
Do you think that the minimum wage should be increased?
Also, 6 out of the 10 fastest growing jobs in Atlanta pay less than $10.00 an hour. It costs a single adult approximately $1,449 a month to live a self-sufficient life in Atlanta, and it costs an adult with 2 young children approximately $3,601 a month. Although it has been suggested in the power point that the minimum wage should be raised to $10.00 an hour to better suit working class families, I'm not quite sure this would be the great fix that many believe. I think that raising the minimum wage so significantly would just lead to a decrease in the number that can be employed and an increase in the closing of small businesses. Although the workers would be more comfortable, the business owners would be striving to make ends meet to keep their business afloat. The current federal minimum wage is set at $7.25 and has been since July 24, 2009, and the current minimum wage in Georgia is $5.15. Of the workers in Georgia making $5.15 an hour, 85% of them are over the age of 20, and 51% of them are full-time employees. The current minimum rate for tipped workers is $2.13 an hour.
As far as our original question #5 is concerned, I am pleased to see that I did not include increasing the minimum wage as my first thoughts as to what should be done about poverty. I am very interested to find other proposed solutions, though. This is definitely not one of them in my book.
Do you think that the minimum wage should be increased?
Session 6
Why you believe people are poor in the US and globally- #2 on our original questions.. This also goes into #1, the who are the people that fall into all of these criteria..
Our book compares the association between poverty and: income growth, inequality, and changes in family structures.Some other leading causes for poverty include:
Language barriers, lack of education, economic conditions, low paying jobs, social standing, immigration status, fraud and abuse, access to public benefits, family obligations, substance abuse, political conditions, and family environment among other things.
I believe that a lack of education, immigration status, and family environment are the three biggest causes of poverty. In my initial post, I attributed bring born into poverty and unemployment as the two biggest contributing features.
The Human Capital Theory states that income differences are a result of differences in productivity, which is low among the poor because they lack the human capital to sell employers in a free market.
I was definitely correct in my original post in my thinking that a lack of education is a large factor in poverty. It was found that if the person had less than a highschool degree, their chances of poverty were 22.3% likely vs. if you had a highschool degree your chances would be only 9.6%,
However, I was incorrect in thinking that unemployment was a major fact and it was found that 37% of poor families had a member of the family working full-time and 35% had a member working atleast part-time.
One solution to this problem is to stress the importance of schooling from a very very early age. I think that more emphasis of a head start program would start this love and emphasis of school at the earliest age possible.
What did you initially think was the largest cause of poverty? What do you currently is the largest cause?
The Human Capital Theory states that income differences are a result of differences in productivity, which is low among the poor because they lack the human capital to sell employers in a free market.
I was definitely correct in my original post in my thinking that a lack of education is a large factor in poverty. It was found that if the person had less than a highschool degree, their chances of poverty were 22.3% likely vs. if you had a highschool degree your chances would be only 9.6%,
However, I was incorrect in thinking that unemployment was a major fact and it was found that 37% of poor families had a member of the family working full-time and 35% had a member working atleast part-time.
One solution to this problem is to stress the importance of schooling from a very very early age. I think that more emphasis of a head start program would start this love and emphasis of school at the earliest age possible.
What did you initially think was the largest cause of poverty? What do you currently is the largest cause?
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