What different programs are there currently that aid families in affording healthcare, housing, food, etc.?
According to newly released census statistics, the wealthiest 10% of Americans, those making more than $138,000 each year, earned 11.4% times the roughly $12,000 made by those living near or below the poverty line in 2008. What is your personal belief on the matter of the wealthiest earning more than 11 times the amount of the poverty line?
The unemployment rate hit 10.2% in October. That means 15.7 million Americans are out of work. The number of filed bankruptcies jumped to 9% as well. Also in October, 937,840 homes had received a foreclosure letter. Where are some of the major areas and regions in the US that are finding unemployment and homelessness to be a growing concern? What is happening to families in those areas?
What are statistics on children who are now homeless such as percentage of homeless children in regards to the homeless population, risks, education, and health concerns? How do you believe this will effect future generations and families?
While National Health spending is expected to reach $2.5 trillion in 2009 , what do you believe should be done to make it easier on individual families(socialist healthcare, capitalist healthcare, other)? Do you have any graphs or statistics to back your conclusions?
Employers are finding that healthcare is now the biggest expense they have to pay. It is possible that by 2019, healthcare costs paid by employers could reach $850 billion. How do you believe this affects the work place in relation to hiring? Would those who have families instead of someone who is single have a harder time of getting hired?
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This makes me think about the peope in New Orleans. I cant begin to imagine what kind of additional loses those families are having. Before I came people I knew a few people that were recieving relief assistance from hurricane Katrina. I wonder how the recession is affecting them versus other people and if funds were cut from that?
ReplyDelete-Kimberly Wabik
It is hard, for me, to create a sound belief on those people who make so much money and give back so little. It is really easy for us to say that those people have enough money so share the wealth and give to a community in need but at the some of those people worked hard to get that money. So what right do we have to ask people to give away what they worked for. The other side of the argument would be, why cant those people that have so much, help those families in need regain some stability? Honestly I compare it to my personal life and the people I see homeless and hungry on the streets of Cambridge. I generally do not give to the homeless, money, food, or otherwise and in this case I live a privileged life. These are the questions that I raise and am I right or wrong to ignore the needy people around me.
ReplyDelete-Nick
I agree with both Kim and Nick. Thank you guys for responding. Kim, after Hurricane Katrina, some kids from the area came to my high school. I cant remember if they had family in the area or what. But i do know that their stories were so sad and it gave me a new appreciation for my life and what i had. And nick, Im not sure where your from, but i live in Cambridge, so unfortunately im used to seeing the needy outside begging. And unfortunarly i know that some of them in fact use the money to buy drugs and alcohol. But there are also some that don't, and they ruin it for them. For instance my uncle actually begs in harvard square. He does not use it for drugs or alcohol. He is actually really sick, he has cancer, and his health insurance does not cover enough of his prescriptions. So he actually needs the help. Of course my family helps him, we do as much as we can, but it's still not enough. It's so sad that you do not know who really needs it and who doesn't.
ReplyDeleteSorry that last comment was from ashley keating
ReplyDeleteWhen I first came here I was actually suprised by the homeless population. I came from Washington, DC. The homeless population looks a lot more "needy" in DC and are a lot more agressive in their asking for help. I guess this would than be attributed to being more or less in need. I actually haven't given any body change, but I am one of those people if i have extra money would offer to buy someone a sandwhich. I think it is important for people to always have at the very least enough to eat.
ReplyDelete-Kimberly Wabik