Poverty Appalachian Essays - Welfare Economics, Appalachia

Poverty: Appalachian Appalachian Poverty Poverty is a global problem, and it has existed from the beginning of civilization. Hunger, homelessness, and lack of health care are major aspects of this world-wide dilemma. Many countries are in complete poverty and a majority are third-world countries. Within the United States of America, a land of plenty, there are also pockets of extreme poverty. Governments around the world are trying to solve this huge problem. Third world poverty and Appalachian poverty, which occurred in the United States of America, have developed for various reasons, and these situations have led to a great deal of problems. Throughout the world, poverty has plagued all countries. In smaller, under-developed countries many people die from starvation. These countries can not afford to support their citizens. Due to their financial problems, the people lack proper shelter and clothing to keep themselves warm during cold months. Since they lack adequate shelter and clothing, diseases occur all over. These diseases develop a lot easier with poor nutrition. Once again with more financial problems, health care is limited to none. Lawrence Senesh, the contributor of "Poverty as a Social Problem" from World Book, says poverty is usually caused by the difficulty in holding and even getting a job(650). Ability, education, and skills help determine the kind of job an individual gets (650). Horten 2 Everyone does not have the same physical abilities and mental abilities. Poor health and abilities prevent some people from holding a job. Through science people have been able to hold onto jobs a lot easier (650). It has increased the need for professional workers and lowered the demand for the unskilled (650). So, the people with higher education will get paid a higher income, and people with lower education will get paid a lower income. Changes in economic slumps can often bring poverty. When businesses drop off and production declines people lose jobs without warning (650). Poverty is also caused by social conditions, such as racial discrimination (Blacks, Asians, and Mexicans) (650). Whites are usually the ones who do the discriminating (650). There are a variety of third-world countries in the world. A third world country is a country that is economically depressed and continues to grieve. Examples of third world countries are Bosnia, Hungary, Austria, Romania, and Somalia. The United States of America, the richest country in the world, has its share of poverty (Senesh650a). Granted, American poverty is no match to third world poverty, but for such a prosperous country it is pretty sad. Most third world countries do not have social security or welfare (650a). So, the people of those countries have no income to keep themselves going. Even though America does have both social security and welfare, this country still has many homeless and starving people. Horten 3 Appalachia includes thirteen states, ranging from southern New York to eastern Mississippi (650a). About eighteen million people live in Appalachia. In March, 1965, the United States Congress passed the Appalachian Regional Redevelopment Act. The legislation was designed primarily to create more jobs by attracting tourists and industries. It provided funds and made the area more accessible. Funds also were made available for new schools and health facilities, land and mine reclamation, and timber and water conservation. The poverty in America will not be solved all at once (650a). Simply creating jobs will not help eliminate poverty because there are some people who are disabled and just can not work (650a). The government social welfare programs help to add income to many people (650a). These people could be the retired, unemployed, disabled, or widowed (650a). In order to help the less fortunate, the people that are employed are taxed to raise money to pay for social security and other benefits (650a). For the higher income workers taxes are higher, and for lower income workers taxes are lower. Michael Winerip stated in "What's a Nice Jewish Lawyer Like John Rosenberg Doing in Appalachia?" from New York Times Magazine, that Rosenberg left Washington to go to Kentucky ; he quickly realized that the land was barren. A land that was once bountiful Horten 4 for its time is now a vast quantity of nothing (Winerip25). In the video tape "Applachian Poverty"directed by Susan Jones, she shows how runned down Applachia really is. The government has been trying to eliminate poverty for decades. In 1946 an employment act was passed (Senesh 650a). This act charges the federal government to keep the economic stability of the United States of America (Senesh 650a). The way the government has tried to decrease the poverty