Poverty In America: Real Policy Solutions For Economic Parity

Don't get me wrong. I know how Capitalism works. Everyone can't be rich. Everyone won't be middle class. But I was wondering:

If you were given complete power by the President and Congress to do whatever it took to revitalize impoverished areas of the United States in 10 years. Blank check. What would you do and why do you think it would work?

Here's what I would do:

I would increase funding for 'self-help' programs such as tuition assistance, job training programs and child care stipends for the working poor. I would drastically reduce the number of people on welfare and the amount of time that a family can receive benefits if it's proven that there are employment opportunities in their area. This would increase the number of educated, skilled workers and entrepreneurs in any given community.

I would take the money that we save from handing out welfare and give tax breaks to companies that open up shop in the poorest neighborhoods and hire the locals. As the unemployment rate drops, so would crime and drug use. That's statistically proven.

Now, people are earning their money, establishing their self-respect, taking ownership of their community and small business gets a break as well. I would also give government preference to companies and corporations that bring manufacturing jobs back to American shores and don't outsource. I would make 'Made in the USA' mean something again.

That's my urban renewal plan.

As far as poor folks out in the suburbs and rural settings, I'm not sure if that would necessarily work as you can't exactly open up a Home Depot and three Starbuck's in the middle of a small town of 2,000. I defer to anyone with more knowledge on the inner workings of farm subsidies and rural economics.

And for those who honestly could care less about lowering the number of folks below the poverty line, think of it this way: the more educated, healthy, skilled workers we have in this country, the more able we are to compete in the global market. Eliminating poverty as much as we can would bring us back to a point of self-sufficiency as a nation. It's right on moral, ethical grounds and a smart investment fiscally.