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Economic Issues and Policy (with InfoApps 2-Semester Printed Access Card)

Brux, Jacqueline Murray

Chapter 6

U.S. Poverty - all with Video Answers

Educators

Chapter Questions

06:27

Problem 1

Should incomes in the United States be distributed equally? If not, should there be at least a greater degree of equality than we presently have? What are the advantages and disadvantages of greater equality? How might greater equality be achieved?

KM
Kanishk Mishra
Numerade Educator
01:14

Problem 2

Were you surprised to learn that the United States has the greatest inequality of income distribution among the Western industrialized countries? What do you think are some reasons for this?

Jiali Liu
Jiali Liu
Numerade Educator
View

Problem 3

Is the official government definition of poverty an adequate one? Does it understate the true extent of poverty? Does it overstate it? How might the measure of poverty be improved? The Census Bureau (httpu/hww.census.gov) has begun recording poverty statistics with alternative definitions of poverty. Check out the Web site.

Lauren Long
Lauren Long
Numerade Educator
01:20

Problem 4

Many people would be surprised by the information on declining teenage births as a percentage of overall births. Does this information surprise you? Does it mean that young people are less likely to become pregnant, or does it mean that abortion rates are increasing? (Actually. Census Bureau statistics show that abortion rates are declining.) What do you think are some reasons for the decline in teenage births as a share of the total?

Emily Himsel
Emily Himsel
Numerade Educator
03:11

Problem 5

5. Are you eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit? Find out if you're eligible by going to the Internal Revenue Service Web site at http//hwwirs.gov, If you find yourself eligible, be sure to file your income tax retums even if you are not required to do so because of low eamings. Otherwise, you will not benefit from the EITC.

Yujie Wang
Yujie Wang
College of San Mateo
01:53

Problem 6

Should mothers of young children be required to work in retum for government assistance? Does the age of the child make a difference? What about the number of children? What are the issues involved?

Joanna Quigley
Joanna Quigley
Numerade Educator
03:18

Problem 7

Should states or the federal government be given more responsibility for poverty programs? What are the implications of placing greater responsibility for these programs on the states? Think about the financing of programs, the extent of poverty in different states, and problems relating to different eligibility criteria and benefit levels across different states.

Kaylee Mcclellan
Kaylee Mcclellan
Numerade Educator
02:15

Problem 8

Which do you feel is more effective in reducing poverty: govemment poverty programs or economic growth of the nation? How do private charities fit in? Are you conservative or liberal when it comes to addressing poverty?

Akash M
Akash M
Numerade Educator
04:04

Problem 9

This textbook uses 2007 statistics for poverty rates and income distribution. Update these figures by using the Census Bureau Web site (http://www.census.gov). Search under Income and Poverty.

Jeremiah Mbaria
Jeremiah Mbaria
Numerade Educator
03:00

Problem 10

Check the Web site of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (http///www.dwd.state,wi.us) for any new information about the Wisconsin TANF program called W-2. Wisconsin was widely considered a leader in work-based welfare when the TANF programs were first being developed.

Tanner Fonjweng
Tanner Fonjweng
Numerade Educator

Problem 11

Check the Web site for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (http://www.cbpp,org) to discover a wealth of information on government programs and their effects on people. What are some of the topics that are of interest to you?

Check back soon!
03:18

Problem 12

Go to hup-J/www.cbpp.org to search for suggestions by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities about how state govemments can improve their welfare programs. How do these suggestions address poverty-related issues, such as housing, health care, and nutrition?

Kaylee Mcclellan
Kaylee Mcclellan
Numerade Educator

Problem 13

Browse through the Web site for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities once again at httpu//www.cbpp,org. Do you think this is a liberal or a conservative research institute? Why?

Check back soon!

Problem 14

Browse through the Web site of the Heritage Foundation at http//www.heritage.org. Do you think this is a liberal or a conservative research institute? Why?

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Problem 15

The Center for Disease Control explores many health topics and issues, mostly discussed from a noneconomic perspective. Check out the Web site at https/www. cdc.gov to discover health care problems associated with poverty.

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07:44

Problem 16

Are you concerned about the problem of poverty in the United States? If so, there are many organizations such as Bread for the World that lobby our government on behalf of the poor in the United States and the rest of the world. The Web site at htrp//www.breadorg can fill you in on current legislative issues involving the poor and provides Web links to other organizations concerned about similar issues. What legislative issues involving poverty are currently being discussed in Congress? Would you like to contact your legislators about these? (Go to http//www.senate,gov and http//www.house.gov.)

Noah Boudrie
Noah Boudrie
Numerade Educator