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Poverty in America; Discussion on the poverty problem and solution
Topic Started: Jan 13 2015, 01:20 PM (27 Views)
mas3398
Administrator
Poverty in America is becoming more and more rampant. Why? Let's discuss some of the causes of this growing problem, and see if we can find some reasonable solutions. First, watch these videos to gain some knowledge, and respond with your solution on this thread.

Video #1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK4PvcVAbes

video #2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aBRND2Dchc

video #3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2Rw3hT_oiQ

video #4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53GcLx1JLXY
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ktblack

Regarding video #1; very interesting, and unfortunate. A large part of the problem here, I think, is the the double-standard of capitalism in America. Many people abuse their power and privilege, avoid "playing by the rules" (of ethics, morality, or in some cases, legality), and reap the profits. Those of us not in that position play by the rules, and lose in the process. The problem is obviously much more complex than this, but I think this is an element that, while acknowledged, is not acknowledged enough. The solution to this is relatively simple, but exceedingly unlikely; completely replace Congress, outlaw lobbying, cap political campaign funding and donations, and return to a somewhat ethical system of capitalism.

On another note, in this video, there is a focus on middle-class families who are finding themselves in poverty. This is done to show a new trend, but it is also the most likely to capture the viewership (and therefore advertising revenue) of current middle and upper-middle class viewers. I find it interesting, but not surprising, that coverage of the millions of children who go hungry everyday, for their entire childhood (not only the 3 months to a year that struggling middle-class families find themselves without sufficient income), is not included. Alas, I digress.

The other videos are great as well. That Hitler video is great comic relief, as is the video of the likely-privileged, but nonetheless, strongly impacted "high rent" girl, haha.

The rent being too high is an epidemic, and I believe, one that can only be countered by a massive disruption to the status quo, be that from a large property owner dropping rent prices, or from a changing dynamic in what people are willing to pay. Landlords and property managers are never going to lower their prices if they know people are willing to pay their competitor's rates. The market is shifting more and more towards a maximum tolerable rent cost.

What are your thoughts?
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mas3398
Administrator
I agree that people are taking advantage of this system, and thus throw their morals and any care for their surrounding community to the wind. In essence, people in power must care, or start to care. May be some do, and throw their money at non-profits that merely place a bandaid to the community problem, and then there is the government, and their wanting to control rent in their facilities. They are merely trying to tell more and more people how to live as well. Even the homeless shelters are demanding in how they want their homeless to live.

I do believe it will take a person who does not want to make money from tenants, but merely develop a community to keep others from making money. That is what is going on with oil prices now. Saudi Arabia is producing more and more oil at lower prices so as it drops the world oil market, thus making it impossible for other countries to make any money off these oil prices. The same must be done in the rental communities. The goal should be to force others to price their homes at a reasonable price that is comparable to what people are making.

If I create a community that is as good or better than everything else out there at a cheaper price, then I should be able to grow exponentially and draw in more tenants than my competitors.

In short, talk is cheap. Action is needed if we are to change anything.
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