09-03-2023, 04:37 PM
(09-02-2023, 12:18 AM)HarleyDog Wrote: Without bringing up Trump and Biden, Repubs and Dems. How does the United States end poverty within our borders? How do we end homelessness? Let's not blame, but what's your solution?
For me, We need to funnel our resources into that goal. There are great people out there who are being left behind. As a nation, we give so much money to other countries. We have to take care of our own before we take care of others. Can't buy shoes for the neighbor kid and let your kid go to school barefoot.
What are your opinions? Please let this make it further than post 3 before ignoring the rules or else you may be part of the problem.
I have 4 things that immediately come to mind:
1) Adjust the minimum wage in each state to match the cost of living for that state. Every person should have the ability to earn a living wage...being able to meet basic living expenses without constantly teetering on broke.
2) Make all public postsecondary education free of charge, including vocational schools. Anyone that wants to earn a degree or learn a trade should be able to. Allowing everyone access to those opportunities leads to a better educated, higher trained workforce.
3) Expand the medicaid system to automatically cover all citizens...until a better possible solution can be developed and put in place. Healthcare should be a basic right and no one should have to worry about being financially destroyed due to a health situation.
4) Put reasonable transition periods in place for people on food stamps, housing assistance, etc. once they get a job. By allowing a period where they aren't just kicked off those benefits altogether, but eased off over a period of time as they begin making money and become more self-sufficient...seems like it would reduce the number that will end up needing benefits again in the future.
If you really want to deal with poverty, you have to start at the ground level and work your way up. Personally, I think these ideas are just common sense and all would be extremely beneficial. It just requires politicians to actually WANT to do something to address poverty...which is always the biggest hurdle.
