Blog #3 Amber Webb

            Abramsky discusses ways to break the cycle of poverty in chapter two of part two.  It seems many people have many ideas as to how to break this cycle.  One of my favorite quotes from the entire book is found in this chapter.  JoAnne Page talks of ideas on how to break the cycle of poverty by helping people with their mental illnesses, diseases, and addictions.  She says, “Poverty is when the money that you need isn’t there, and you have to make choices that compromise your health or your future or your ability to care for your family” (Abramsky, 2013, p. 237-238). Page goes on to discuss the expanded access to public housing with counseling, drug testing, and job training.  This makes me think of a time my oldest son asked if I could do anything in the world as a job, what would it be?  I told him my dream would to be able to open a center for poverty stricken and homeless families.  In this center, there would be family counseling, addiction counseling, and job training.  There would be beds and bathrooms for the homeless to sleep and clean up.  There would be a food pantry and soup kitchen that helped everyone that was hungry. There would be an area with dress clothes for people to use for interviews.  It touched my heart to read about Page having the same ideas and goals as my dreams. 

            Other people in chapter two had great ideas.  Martha Sanchez talked about helping children have a safe place to learn.  I think helping children learn in a safe environment is a great way to start breaking the poverty cycle.  The minimum income idea is also one that I believe could help. 

            Another idea Abramsky brings up is what she calls “Down Payments On The Future” (Abramsky, 2013, p. 256).  Providing state-funded subsidies to help encourage parents to save for their children’s college education is a fantastic idea.  However, not all states would be able to take this on.  Also, I can imagine when parents are struggling just to keep a roof over their children’s heads or food in their stomachs, a college fund is but a dream they cannot see coming true.  As in the case with Maine in 2008, $500 to start a college account is a lovely gift from Harold Alfond.  However, for a lot of families in poverty, the state’s college savings plan may only have that initial deposit in it.  As Abramsky points out though, on a federal level, an initial amount of $500 does not seem too steep.  I believe anything that can help the younger generations graduate college without the burden of large student loan debt would great. 

            Another point Abramsky makes is about interventions in the labor market about wages.  I wholeheartedly agree that this would have to be done on a state or federal level to be effective.  If it were done in cities alone, the big box companies, such as Wal-Mart, would simply move out of city.  Or, as a mom would say, they would take their ball and go home.  The larger the area covered by law, the better in this instance.  I do not understand why larger companies, such as Burger King, and Taco Bell would not see the benefits to the communities they serve by giving their employees a raise.  I would gladly pay .01 cent more per meal if it were helping my neighbor food and clothe their children. 

Amber Webb