Poverty in America

I have heard a lot of talk these days about the economy, the recession, and capitalism.

I live in a wealthy, mainly white, suburb of Chicago. If you remove the poorest towns from the statistics, the average income is $100,000. It is also a very conservative, republican leaning county. A county in which capitalism is alive and well, ummm mostly.

I have heard a common phrase in my county that makes me want to puke. "I choose not to be a part of the recession." Followed by the rich old white guy laugh.

The problem is we live in a tiered economy. With a very thick dividing line between those that can live, create wealth, create jobs, etc and those that are unable. Did you know that the number one indicator of socioeconomic status is birth? Those that are born poor tend to be poor. Those that are born wealthy tend to be wealthy. Yes, there are those stories (The pursuit of Happyness is one of my favorites) of the rags to riches tale. But in reality, it is more of a myth. A few folks make it from rags to riches, the vast majority do not.

So when someone says that they choose not to take part in the recession- all I hear is "I do not care".

We see poverty as a morality issue instead of an economic system issue. Yes, capitalism is a fantastic system. It allows anyone to create wealth, create jobs, and support their family. BUT, there are way too many folks in our country who are unable to jump into the economic system. Those who are born poor are actually born into a closed system. Economic and educational opportunities are scarce. The less opportunities the less incentives. A man can work hard his whole life and still live below the poverty line.

So what is the answer? How do we create a true looped system where that vast majority of Americans have the same (or nearly the same) economic and educational opportunities? Where every child born in the US has nearly the same statistics for creating wealth?

The first barrier is ignorance. The same folks who say they are recession proof are the same that would vote against providing school lunches for at-risk kids in schools. The same who blame the plight of at-risk kids in America on drugs. Ludicrous. Racist. Ignorant.

Opportunities are created through a system that allows each individual basic freedoms, rights, and responsibilities. But we debate the basic rights in open politics as if they were bargaining chips for more votes. Health care should be a basic human right. How we pay for it and how it works is debatable. In our country, we lift up freedom and responsibility above basic rights. Every child born in the US should have food, clothing, shelter, health care, and wonderful educational opportunities. If we cared for each kid in this way, we would more than reap the long term benefits in taxes owed over their lives. The educational system in the US creates a caste system and closed economic system. The differences between elementary schools from one county to the next is appalling.

It takes a long term view (beyond a 4 or 8 year term) to create opportunities and to increase our ability to meet certain basic human rights. The right to live, the right to work, the right to education, and the right to be free.

We should never destroy a kid's future because of a political debate.

And yes, it does take more money to create more opportunities.

What if we took all the bailout money and put it in schools instead?

What if we took 25% of the money from the war on terror and put it into schools?

What if we took 20% of all the funds used for private jets, massive security details, fancy offices, and perks for elected officials and put it into schools?

What if each member of the house and senate took a 10% pay cut and put it into schools?

My guess is in 20-30 years we would have a completely balanced budget with an overflow in our coffers. Just think if we took 50% of those below the poverty line and raised them into the middle class. The taxes brought in versus the welfare payout would be astounding!

Our choices that we make in the political realm impact generations of kids. My greatest fear is that we will lose 2-3 generations of kids due to lack of foresight. A lack of true caring.