Three Articles on Poverty in America-Precise

Three Articles Precise:

1) Jared Bernstein, writer for the Economic Policy Institute, wrote his article on the Census Bureau, and its faults. Since the Census Bureau’s definition for poverty and its measurement is over 40 years old, it isn’t accurate anymore. Bernstein argues that there are two main problems with the Census Bureau: for one, it fails to notice and incorporate consumption patterns that have occurred since the 60s. The Census Bureau measures poverty based on food expenditures, but the cost of food in relation to other goods and necessities has changed a lot in the past years. Secondly, the CB doesn’t incorporate low-income families and female-headed households in their survey, and this drastically increases the number of poor American citizens. Since the CB is a highly valued survey, lots of governmental decisions are based on its results, and Bernstein believes that it desperately needs to be revised in the near future. With adaptation, he argues that the Poverty Line will possibly open people’s eyes to reality, how bad the situation has become.

(Who’s Poor? Don't Ask the Census Bureau, By Jared Bernstein)

2) Paul Krugman, former Economics Professor at Princeton and now NYT journalist, focused his article on poverty, especially child poverty, in the USA. According to him, children who are born into poverty have little to no chance of escaping it. While Johnsons War on Poverty actually lowered the number of poor Americans, little was done afterwards to keep the Poverty Line low. Government does very little on the topic, and many excuses try to hide the large and growing number of the poor. One excuse that tries to reduce the problem is that the poor aren’t truly poor, and the so-called problem is therefore easily overlooked. According to Krugman, the American Dream that most Americans truly believe in hinders actions done for the poor, since the idea incorporates that anyone can become wealthy and happy in America if the will and effort is present.

(Poverty Is Poison, By Paul Krugman)

3) This article by Walter E. Williams, Economics professor at George Mason University, deals with the issue of poverty (especially in America), and blames the individual for being poor. Poverty, according to him, is a decision brought upon oneself due to wrong or foolish choices. According to the Census Bureau, the majority of the poor are female- headed households. Williams argues that pregnancy is a conscious act that could be prevented. Also, not marrying the father of one’s child is another mistake brought upon oneself, and could have easily been prevented. Another main reason for poverty is drug abuse, according to NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School toll. Again, taking drugs is optional, and therefore the individual can only blame himself if he lives in poverty, Lastly, Williams argues that individuals, regardless of race or gender, have the option of going to college and learning a job. People who do not take this option have only themselves to blame, since they will probably be counted as one of the 11.7% (2001 Census Bureau) who live below the Poverty Line.

(Poverty in America, by Dr. Walter E. Williams)