HomelessnessHomelessnessHomelessnessHomelessness as an issue in todays society is largely ignored. To many, the problem of homelessness is invisible or barely noticed. When these people do see the homeless it is found in the form of beggars who need to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” or mentally ill people who “just cant help themselves”. In either case the central point remains; the homeless must be people who are incapable or unwilling to help themselves. After all, wouldnt they stop being homeless if they just tried? These sorts of rationalizations cover a more disturbing truth; that for many in todays society, the spectre of homelessness is more pressing of a problem than helping those who are already on the streets. The millions living below the poverty line live in constant fear that at any time an event may occur that will drive them below the cultural and economic radar. Therefore, one major effect of homelessness is the creation of a threshold that forces people to remain in poverty for fear of losing what meager possessions they have.
The economic structure of the US, while changing from a product-based to a service-based job pool, remains with a similar split of the rich and the poor that has existed throughout the world since the beginning of recorded history. The illusion of the middle class in the 1950s created an expectation in modern America that great material achievement is not just possible but almost a birthright of anyone who enters the country. The American Dream is one of financial and material success. Nevertheless, the poor most often remain poor. This creates a jaded population of impoverished citizens. This is not to say that people are happy being poor, but that when one is taught by popular culture that they deserve better they become a victim. Someone or something has caused them to be poor; therefore, it is ultimately not their fault. One effect of this victimization is that it can breed complacency. Through whatever means, some reason, I will get whats coming to me. I am owed. Instead of using what meager opportunities are out there some will simply wait for their piece of the pie. Another effect of this idea of being a victim is the homeless are different than the mere poor because they must have done it to themselves. As they are owed just as much as everyone else, they must have done something to cause them to be homeless. This helps to calm the fear that perhaps being in America does not guarantee success or even a decent shot at it.
If there were a support system in place to truly help those who are in poverty and cannot support themselves and their families, then perhaps the population could attempt to do better for themselves. Given real opportunities instead of self-serving token attempts from the rich, those in poverty may have a chance to break the generational cycle that poverty and the threat of homelessness creates. The jobs in this new service-based economy often do not allow for a living wage; that is, a salary that allows a family to live with the basic necessities of life; shelter, food, clothing, and the like. For some this is merely an ideological or ethical issue but for those who it truly affects, it is a prison. Those who are willing to act to change the system have no choice but to contribute to
Lydia: The reality is that we should not be too quick to give up. In the real world, if we’re fortunate enough to still have an affordable car when the other party is far from poverty-stricken, we should continue to invest in them; that is, to pay for their maintenance and the repairs that come with it. An economy with good tax credits can help offset the costs incurred in maintaining such a high cost of living.
The problem is that the public’s attitudes toward this, and especially its social fabric, can be highly problematic. These attitudes can be very damaging even if the state can and does provide a reasonable level of tax support. In my experience, a number of states’ taxes on car ownership are quite lower than their counterparts in other states, making it more difficult for the state to provide the necessary funds. So what do we do about it?
Lydia: Let’s start with the first and most obvious part: there is a fundamental disconnect between the very definition of government and the political reality. The political reality of poverty means a deep and entrenched divide over our income tax rates. The political reality of homelessness is not about the people you’ve met or heard about, but who you’ve interacted with, in how much financial distress you’ve faced; who you’ve heard from and who you’re listening to. The politics of homelessness, which can include a number of candidates, have led us down the path of political and ideological crisis. We are now facing a civil war regarding this civil war. We should never forget this fundamental conflict. Our problem may be a failure to support individuals who have the ability to support both their families and their society, or to provide social resources and financial support for their families, but that is an entire question beyond the discussion of it. My current concern is with people’s financial distress.
I don’t think many of us have a clear sense of what is really happening. But we have an understanding of how people’s financial problems relate to government assistance. As an economist, I’m aware of people’s financial difficulties in a variety of ways, but this information, when shared with those in need, is a powerful antidote to the political paralysis and the over-inflationary pressures that often characterize the political system. Â And this is what I see as the fundamental issue.
The truth is that any social development should work in two parts: the first is to prevent poverty, and then to support those who are struggling economically. In each of those parts, social action is the most effective way to support people who are struggling and to support people in need. Â This means: take a look at the situation in the U.S., and look further at countries around the world. It also means the basic values the political establishment requires of us all.
I think the key is political action. People are always looking for ways to act; they are always looking for ways to change the existing society and the institutions that are created with our help. All social problems are human crises, and in order to