Short Arguments
What do authors say about education and poverty? \do you agree with them? Can improving education help improve poverty?
Education is vital tackling poverty since imparts relevant knowledge, the right attitude, and skills for the required job competency or for solving a particular type of task. According to Locke (2017), her mother struggled to do odd jobs because she lacked university education. She worked for E-Z company for long without getting a proper promotion, and when she finally gets it not a good job-a lab job, where prepares coffee for colleagues. In contrast, Locke manages to secure university education and employment from which she is able to afford a better lifestyle (Locke, 2017). Locke argues that education (college or university) is valuable because it elevates ones’ prospect of securing a better job and lifestyle. She posits that the government should prioritize funds for the education of the poor. Yglesias (2010) further emphasizes that skilled labor, educated individuals, are better placed for the job market than unskilled labor. Also, economists posit that successful economies like the USA thrive behind robust education and skilled labor (Economist 2005).
How do you feel about taxes? Should more things, like pollution and junk food, be taxed more? Should rich people be taxed more? Do you think raising taxes is an effective way of getting more money to help people?
The idea of equality and the harmonized tax system is much welcome. Ygleasia (2010) highlighted the unfair tax regimes, which favored the rich at the expense of the poor, in society such as the USA. For proportionality and fairness, the government should readjust the tax bracket to capture more revenue, especially for the people more significant income (the rich. When tax is adjusted for those with income totaling more than half a million dollars, a fairer and a progressive tax bracket will be achieved. Besides, taxing undesirable behavior such as pollution is justified as more resources will be available for funding important sectors such as health and education for the benefit of all citizens.
How do you feel about social programs, like free healthcare or financial help for the poor or unemployed people? Do you think these programs benefit society? Should we get rid of them?
Free healthcare and education will help alleviate the suffering of the poor. Financial assistance helps to increase access to education that will translate into much-needed skills and knowledge to drive the various sectors of the economy. It is argued that more skilled labor is more of a place to benefit from job opportunities. It also notes that prosperous countries like the USA had benefited from skilled labor (The Economist, 2005). The free healthcare and financing the education of the poor helps to bridge the equality gap as well as securing a better future for the next generation (The Economist, 2005).
Should the government be responsible for solving poverty? Or do you think people should be responsible for themselves? Is poverty the result of people not having motivation or the right attitude?
The government has the responsibility of creating an enabling environment for its citizens, such as affordable education and access to healthcare (The Economist). Education is the primary driver of a sustainable economy through the churning of the skilled labor force for the economy. However, Locke argues that success is tied to the right attitude, talent, and networking, besides having basic education (Locke, 2017)Locke confesses the brunt of middle-class and low-income families since they lack access to education and opportunities. It took her longer to arrive at the class of her peers.
References
Yglesias, Matt. (2010). A Great Time To Be Alive. The Nation
Locke, Angela. (2017). “Born Poor and Smart.”
The Economis (2005). The Middle Class.