Week 8 NJ Alice Report /Reviews on Economic Inequality in NJ

http://www.unitedwayalice.org/documents/16UW%20ALICE%20Report_NJUpdate_Lowres_12.13.16.pdf

http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/hughescenter/content/docs/Research/Economic%20Inequality%20-%20HC-2016March%20Updated.pdf

What’s relevant to the reports are that they show statistics and survey research about the poverty epidemic in New Jersey. Also, they show public opinions and trends that are useful in understanding social inequality. What’s interesting in these reports was that New Jersey residents who are struggling financially: 37 percent of households in New Jersey could not afford basic needs such as housing, child care, food, health care, and transportation in 2014. Furthermore, 66% of New Jersey residents believe the state is on the wrong track. The research article from Stockton University, “Views on Economic Inequality in the state of New Jersey” stated nearly sixty percent (58%) of New Jersey residents surveyed disapproved of the way Chris Christie was handling his job as governor.

In New Jersey, the total number of households increased by 1 percent between 2007 and 2014 to 3,194,844. But the number of ALICE and poverty households increased through the Great Recession (from 2007 to 2010) by 18 percent, and then increased another 10 percent from 2010 to 2014 (Figure 1). With the growth in population, the number of households that are struggling to meet their basic needs has grown even more.  However, according to ALICE, All age groups saw a decline in financial stability, with the exception of households 65 and older. Between 2007 and 2014, nearly each age group saw an increase in households living below the ALICE Threshold. The one exception is senior households, whose conditions started to improve after 2012. From 2012 to 2014, the proportion of households headed by someone 65 years and older in poverty remained flat, and the proportion of senior ALICE households decreased by 2 percent.

Furthermore, as compared with other Americans, the majority (82%) of New Jersey survey respondents feel they are doing better (55%) or the same (26.8%) economically as others. Only 15% percent reported doing worse than other Americans. economic vulnerability New Jersey residents are experiencing nearly seven years after the Great Recession is profound with 55% of our sample feeling as though their income is falling behind the cost of living and nearly 37% suggesting their income is just keeping pace.

The main argument in all this is; poverty rates and household income opinions will vary. What’s similar between the two findings from the articles is that the recession has caused New Jersey residents to struggle. What is different between the articles is one states, the number of ALICE and poverty households have increased significantly since the Great Recession. Yet, the other states New Jersey Residents feel they are doing better economically. Overall what is important is the differences between the two because they give perspective to a different opinion, which leads to the search for truth.

Week 7 blog: Seefeldt on Social Abandonment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tDFLNej-c4&feature=youtu.be

What were the factors Seefeldt discussed and what policy measures might help vulnerable families get ahead? – Comment on how these polices truly might be beneficial and practical for upward mobility?

Some of the factors discussed was how social abandonment is what Seefeldt describes as, “a new form of separate and unequal: separate and segregated labor and housing markets, post-secondary institutions, and financial products.” Seefeldt mentions that debt functions as modern day sharecropping. The new sharecropping system, is debt because abandonment by the safety net led to debt, also people are using credit cards to pay basic expenses.  Upward mobility contributes to the increase in debt, high interest rates and low income are preventing people from getting rid of their debt. The policy measures that might help families get ahead is a Worker Bill of Rights, Reforms to The Safety Net, and Reparations. The ability to organize and higher wages are included, to help combat social abandonment. She recommended reparations in terms of baby bonds to help women with low wage income to get ahead. These policies can be truly beneficial and practical for upward mobility because, a worker bill of rights will give employees more power and rights, and a set schedule of hours worked per week.  Reforms to the safety net will help with the filing of benefits. Furthermore, reparations will give larger bonds to those with lower wealth.  These policies will help families that have been affected by social abandonment, and could assist with upward mobility.

Week 6 C-SPAN Response

https://www.c-span.org/video/?402851-4/kemp-forum-panel-3-presidential-candidates-kasichrubio

What did each Presidential Candidates discussed during the forum on reducing poverty?

 After watching this video what are your personal reactions to their plans on reducing poverty?

Each presidential candidate Ohio Governor John Kasich and Florida Senator Marco Rubio talk about the problem of poverty and possible solutions to reduce it in America. Marco Rubio briefly says the cure to poverty is getting a job. Rubio claims that we “treat” poverty with federal programs but we don’t “cure it”. Rubio believes instead of corporations overseas creating jobs in the U.S., and giving the States more flexibility on welfare reform will reduce poverty. Both candidates agreed that both parties Democrats and Republicans, need to work together for a definite solution. Some possible solutions stated included better education, and job training. Yet Governor John Kasich emphasizes that a “one size fit all” approach to fixing poverty is unrealistic. Marco Rubio implied to start we need to have people genuinely care about those in poverty. Rubio wants to have an increase in per child tax credit, he wants to reduce recidivism rates by rehabilitation in prisons. Furthermore, he argues that we have an outdated accredited system that needs to be changed. I like how he wants to put a focus on vocational schooling. Rubio wanted to start a corporate scholarship program and open pell grants to those pursuing vocational schooling. I think education and opportunity to learn a trade is essential in fixing poverty. Ohio Governor John Kasich talked about how we need to freeze all federal regulations on small businesses, or have less of them. He argued that we are losing community banks and for students K-12, we need to focus on preparing students for jobs that currently exist. I like his approach because it is realistic and could help steer many youth in the right career direction. I also agree with Marco Rubio when he says, “we shouldn’t have an international school board, states and local level should have control.” Giving states control would give more resources to fix individual school district problems. Overall I was surprised how the Republicans addressed ways to combat poverty. Although they had good points I still have my doubts because, they are politicians and sometimes politicians talk about solutions but don’t follow through with action.

Week 5: Game: Ran out of money by day 5

 http://playspent.org/

After playing the game spent, I realized how hard it was to live in poverty. In the game I decided to pay up to $800 in rent just to shorten my commute to  work expenses. After the landlord found out about my pet, I was charged $360, which left me broke by day 5. Whats sad is most people wouldn't pay the fine, and be left to give away their pets.  After reading the quiz I found it surprising that the federal minimum wage is $7.25 and after a year earning a total of $15,080, its still $1,257 below the poverty threshold of $16,337. Yet the government believes this is a livable wage for a single parent.
The statement "Behaviors of the poor are not the cause of their poverty, but as a result of their poverty" to me means, those in poverty could be in poverty because of how difficult it is to climb out of poverty. The game showed me that everything is expensive and costs money, and the most unexpected things can put you in debt. When your poor, poverty can disable you, regardless of how frugal you are with money.

Week 4 America's Middle Class is Suffering

According to the article "America's middle class has lost nearly 30% of wealth" by Quentin Fottrell the rich are getting richer and those in the middle class are getting poorer. The last 15 years have been brutal for the middle class, due to the housing market crisis and the Great Recession of 2008. Yet many politician are eager to make references about helping middle class Americans, because economically the middle class has the power to elect the President of the U.S
Whats killing the American middle class is the rise in income inequality in the U.S. Middle class families are falling into the lower class and it is shrinking.  It is urgent to save the American Middle class because they have helped shape our society. It is important to save the middle class because most people identify themselves as middle class citizens. Middle class Americans make 20 to 50% of America's income and wealth. Middle class Americans have helped define our society,  yet they are struggling to stay ahead. My family identifies with the middle class, but most of the time we feel trapped by debt and the high cost of living. In my opinion there is need for major economic and political change. A start to this would be increasing the taxes of the rich and creating more well paying jobs for working class and middle class Americans.