Poverty, who is responsible for our poor?
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Who is responsible?
There is a growing epidemic of poverty in this Nation. The divide between the wealthy and poor grows every day, and its is on everyone's minds. Who is responsible for the poor? Who should take care of them? The Liberals scream that they do more for the poor than anyone else, they are always looking out for someone who is less fortunate, and only the Republicans are among the ultra wealthy. That wealth should be equally distributed, and no one should have more than someone else. This plan works, when we are a wealthy nation, but look at countries that have attempted it, that aren't wealthy, that are now considered third world nations. Cuba comes to mind because they are so close to us. Russia, tried a method of sharing the wealth, and the good citizens of the USSR knew that they either had to starve to death, or speak out against a system that clearly wasn't working and be killed by the authorities, either way, most citizens knew that there was no way out.
Follow the Money
Charitable Contributions among liberals and conservatives
President Obama....................$329,100
Vice President Bidden...............$4,820
Steve Jobs...................................???
President Bush...................$75,560
Vice President Cheney...........$6,869,655
Rush Limbaugh..........................$238,665
Does the amount you give matter?
When researching this it was no real shock that Conservatives gave a lot more to charity than their liberal counter parts. One year alone, Rush Limbaugh donated over two hundred thousand to charities. While President Obama donated more than that to charity last year, prior to get elected President Obama's record of donating to charities is very poor. According to Obama's tax returns starting back in 2000 he donated just 1% of his income annually to charity, going up to just around 6% in 2006 (TaxProf Blog). Yet when it comes to those yelling the loudest that not enough is being done to support charity and do away with poverty it seems as though the left is louder than the right.
Could it be that the right just doesn't like to brag about the good it does? That those on the right like Rush Limbaugh who in one year donated over 200,000 to various charities, doesn't brag about the good he does, and doesn't try to dispel the left's lies about him being an evil capitalist.
Not to disparage too much on the liberals, Oprah, one of the most liberal individuals in this country gave away $40 million to charity in 2010.
There are two schools of thought on whether or not the wealthy should solve the problem of Poverty. The idea that 1% of the world controls the majority of the wealth, suggests that it is their responsibility to help out less fortunate.
The Bible speaks of charity many times, Psalms 41:1-2 say's: 1Blessed is he who considers the poor! The Lord delivers him in the day of trouble;2the Lord protects him and keeps in alive; he is called blessed in the land; thou dost not vie him up to the will of his enemies.
Proverbs 14:21 states: 21He who dispises his neighbor is a sinner, but hapy is he who is kind to the poor.
Luke 6:38 states: 38give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
2 Corrintheians 9:6-7 states: 6The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compusion for God loves a cheerful giver.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 states: 17 As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. 18They are to dogood, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and genrous, 19thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of the life with is life indeed.
Psalms 37: 25-26 states: 25I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread. 26He is ever giving liberally and lending, and his children become a blessing.
Finally Matthew 25:31-40 states: 31When the Son of man comes in his clogy, and all the angerls with him, then he sit on his glorious throne. 32Before him will be gathered all the nations and he will separate them one from anohter as a sheperd sparates the sheep from the goats, 33and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. 34Then the King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come O blessed of my Fahter, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me'37Then the righteous will anger him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? 38 And when did we we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee?39 And when did we see three sick or in prison and visit thee?40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me'
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Arthur C. Brooks, in his book Who Really Cares: America’s Charity Divide: Who Gives, Who Doesn’t, and Why It Matters. Attributes religion as the main reason that people give to charity, and since there are more Conservatives than Liberals who are religious, Conservatives tend to donate more of their income to charity. However, Brooks points out that the secular Conservatives donate the least of all individuals, and since there isn't a lot of Secular Conservatives they do not drive down the total numbers when it comes to Conservatives donating more than Liberals.
- Dick Cheney Donates Millions to Charity
In one of the largest sums ever donated to charity by a U.S. public official, Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne gave away nearly $7 million last year to help the poor and to medical research. - Biden gave average of $369 to charity a year - USATODAY.com
Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden reported earnings last year that were a fraction of the millions earned by his running mate, Barack Obama, his tax records show. - Evil, greedy conservative Rush Limbaugh donates $500,000 to hearing clinic | IHateTheMedia.com
Its not something his liberal critics want to talk about, but Rush Limbaugh is a very generous man. He just donated $500,000 to the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles. - It Turns Out Conservatives Really Are Compassionate - NYTimes.com
Arthur C. Brooks, a professor at Syracuse University whose work involves public policy and philanthropy, has written a new book called Who Really Cares: America's Charity Divide: Who Gives, Who Doesn't, and Why It Matters. His boldface conclusion? As
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Old Poolman: I figured with this one I'd really attract the haters, but I had to say it. I'll let the facts speak for themselves and try not to let the haters get to me. Thanks for the comment.
Rachel
Our charity foundations are out of hand. Many give them the fish, instead of teaching them how to fish. We need good organization that will promote self-alliance instead of rewarding people for being poor. It seems too many, i.e. United Way, for an example, skim money off the top to pay "expenses" which include a generous salary to head of the organization. It seems they are almost out to make money off the system instead of promoting sound welfare assistance.
Keep on hubbing!
eovery: You are absolutely right. I am going to look up the exact number and get back to you, but there is a really low percentage that actually has to go to the cause the rest can be kept by the organization for fees and so on. I remember a "Blind" organization in Denver, growing up, that was supposed to raise money for people who had problems with their eye site, that group was disgusting with the amount of money that they wasted, very little went to the actual cause.
Thanks for the comment
Rachel
When the government stops taking the traditional role of the church away from society, then the church can get back to the business of taking care of the sick, the poor, the orphaned and widowed. Left, right, doesn't matter - it is the church's responsibility and historically the church's role to care for these, and the government has usurped its role, taxed it out of the ability to act for the public good, legislated handcuffs on its actions for the public welfare and effectively reduced it to an ineffective role in society. The church has relinquished its authority in this realm and the government will not give it back until the church rises up and takes it back.
DavePrice: Thank you for your comment, and you are right. Traditionally it has been the Church's responsibility to take care of the poor. Perhaps, that will be the case again sometime in the future.
Its nice to know that someone can turn charity into a political discussion.
LeanChris: Ah yes because I am the first person ever to write a political hub about this topic. Thanks for recognizing that. In fact hubpages added this category just for me. Get real.
Rachel
rachellrobinson
THE LORD said ''do unto others as you would want them to do to you ''.there is a huge difference in the ideology between the political partys in our government.the question is, is it a right that government should take from the rich and give it to the poor?
with the exception of children born in a rich family we all start out as poor.the poor become middle class, then upper class and thanafter many years of hard work, some can say that they are rich.why shouldn't one who works so hard for a long time enjoy his status and money?
a recent reply was how to help the poor. give the poor a fishing pole,show him how to fish and by his own labor he will be fed.
if one is unable to give the poor money,than give them your time,give them sheltor and last but not leased, pray for the poor. AMEN
Keep hubbing
Jon: Thanks for the comment
Giving to charity is not the same as who you gave it to. There was no mention of who received this charity and no mention of the tax write off either. Did any of these contributions get them votes or special interest? In the end charity never lifts us out of poverty if social ills are the reason for being there in the first place.
SanXuary: I am not sure what you mean by your comment.
Rachel
I was speaking on the area where they were claiming the contributions that Politicians had given to charity. Charity is a good thing but solving the problems of poverty still hold better value in terms of the quality of all life.
How would you solve to problems of poverty?
rachellrobinson
The Democrats have had 2/3's control of the Government since 2007 to Sept. 30,2011. How come no one mentioned their contribution to the American Dream, whatever that means .
The American Dream in 2009 to the present.
The Pew Hispanic Center reported that 6.1 million Hispanic children are poor compared with 5 million non-Hispanic white children and 4.4 million black children. The number of poor Hispanic children is at a record high, black children have a higher rate of poverty, 39%, compared with 35% for Hispanic children. The overall rate for white children is about 12%. The recession put more children of all races and ethnicities into poverty. The poverty rate for black children increased twice as fast. The 50,000 on food stamps, the 14+ million on unemployment and all time poverty rates are records of the Obama- Democrat majority control of the government.
The Republicans as of Jan.2011 having control of only 1/3 of the government seems to be blamed for the existing problems. It is difficult to understand since the Republican House has a 2012 budget and passed 8 jobs bills that are in the Senate waiting to be put on the Senate floor for passage. The president has 2 jobs bill that was passed waiting for his signature. Lately when the President signs legislation, the media seems to be inattentive and missing from the event.
Today, 10/07/11, Senator Reid would not allow a vote on amendments to the China Trade bill that would have included the Presidents Jobs Bill. The Republicans have been asking to vote on the JOBS BILL since last Friday. The President says that the Republicans are holding up the vote. Somehow Barack Obama has never mentioned the Democrat majority controlled Senate who will not allow a vote. REALLY, can we believe the president? ALL SMOKE AND MIRRORS
Jon thanks for the comment, the second one looked like the first one all over again so I just posted the one comment.
Rachel
rachellrobinson
When will the public wake up to the TRUTH?
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE CAIN said that he wants everyone to be rich and to be able to have a job. The Obama Administration has been told that NEW government regulations are hurting the opportunity of business to hire.
According to a September 2010 report from the Small Business Administration, total regulatory costs amount to $1.75 trillion annually—enough money for businesses to provide 17.5 million private sector jobs with an average salary of $100,000.
As of 2008, small businesses—which have created 64 percent of all new jobs in the past 15 years—face an annual regulatory cost of $10,585 per employee, which is 36 percent higher than the regulatory cost facing large firms. Some of these regulations KILL small business.
The Obama Jobs Bill gives business a tax credit ( tax credit is short term, ends in 2012) which is not enough to hire new workers. Again Smoke and Mirrors.
Jon again all good points thank you for sharing.
Rachel
How would I solve poverty? Force corporations or any business for that matter into complying to a percentage based profits system that pays the work force they employ. How many salaries would the pay of some of these CEO's pay for and how much work can one man do? We pay share holders more money then we often pay the people who do all the work. Paying people more is actually the only way people are even going to buy more. Regulate a fair costs system in terms of health care and education. For instance how do you justify a band aid that costs 50 cents or less at a store and 5 dollars at a hospital? We our paying outrageous prices for things simply based on where we buy it. Most of all create a fair commodities market that allows the small business to compete with the large corporations that have forced so many out of business. For example the small farmer was ruined when corporations would no longer allow their products to be procured. If they needed a thousand acres of apples and you only had 500 you were out of business. No one would buy your apples and no bank would finance your operation and that is why we have fewer farmers. Today's small farmers have gone green in order to compete, not because going green was the answer but instead it is the only way to compete. Next to none of these farmers sell to any major retail outlet, because they are not allowed to. Small business ownership and buying local is the future and the best way to change your community and put people back to work. Stop making shoes in China when were more then capable of doing it right here in America.
SanXuary: Excellent response, however I would point out that there is a major flaw, what I consider fair is what you consider unfair. I think that someone who works at McDonalds flipping Hamburgers should make minimum wage or just barely over minimum wage. I think that there needs to be people at the bottom of the food chain in any industry, so that the desire to work hard and move up and therefore make more money exists. If we start all workers out making 80,000-100,000 a year because "hey the corporations can afford something like that" then we end up with a bunch of people who don't desire to work hard or improve themselves.
As far as your farmer analogy, I live in the heartland and ironically one of the things that hurt Missouri farmers the most was Prop B otherwise known as the Puppy Mill bill. Now we aren't a bunch of Puppy Mills in Southwest Missouri, but the bill is designed in such a way that it actually hurts anyone who raises animals for a living. Guess who came up with, backed and got that bill passed, I'll give you a hint it wasn't a conservative, or conservative organization.
When you consider who is responsible for the poor in this nation and come up with a solution like you have, and I do applaud you for it, you have to then ask yourself will this actually help the poor or will this harm not only them but more American's in the process.
You pay people what they are worth but a percentage is based on the total percentage a company makes in profit and a percentage is used to pay for each area. Is it one percent the employees are making out of total company profits or do they deserve something like 20 percent? The same question can be applied in keeping a company competitive. A lot of companies have continued until they close because the investors only want the money and could careless if the jobs remain and simply invest nothing into the company. Currently the only way out of this recession is to increase salaries and the buying power of ordinary Americans. The other idea is small business loans but that is highly unlikely. If it was to occur the idea behind such loans would be to bring jobs back home from over seas markets and to focus on long term community demands and create local markets. A fair tax system goes without saying the obvious. The Green revolution is being held back by large industry that stands to lose profits and market shares and controls it currently has over the consumer. A health revolution could easily save trillions of dollars and save countless lives if they simply told the truth about our current diet. The facts are well documented but purposely remain untold. I spent forty dollars last month on all my food by simply avoiding all animal based products. Buying local is going to be one of the most important goals of the future due to rising energy cost as peak oil sets in. Local public transportation and near bye markets will decentralize facts such as 75 percent of the meat in this country is processed by 13 facilities in America. The local butcher and baker needs to return to our neighbourhoods. New technologies exists but lack investors and any backing that threatens the current status of those who stand to lose by supporting such ideas. How much work can a small business do with today's technology? How much can we save in energy costs by making it and selling locally? A simple technology question off the top of my head is why are we not converting our sewage into methane and burning it for energy? Why are we not converting the waste afterwards into non-petrochemical fertilizers? Can it be done and be greener then current methods?
I think more than raising what people make eliminating what they pay out in taxes would help. Most individuals have no idea what they make "Gross" because all they know all they have ever known is what they make "Net" eliminate income tax and there would be a boom in the economy since people would be bringing home more of their income and therefore be able to spend more money.
I don't know about educating people about their diets. Most people realize what they eat, and if they are overweight and unhealthy they either don't care enough to change their diets, at which point do we demand that they do so? I am considered overweight by the Government's standards, and I don't feel or look it. I don't think any government agency should be able to say, "lose the weight, or you can only eat certain foods, or animal products are bad... or trans fats are bad." I have the god given right to over eat and honestly I have the god given right to eat myself to death if I wanted to. I don't think a "health revolution" that you are calling for would change poverty levels at all.
Again you have to ask yourself, if these solutions that you call for would help or hurt people. They might make you feel better but if they take away more of our rights and make life worse for Americans then the needs of the few don't really out weigh the needs of the many.
Rachel
Its to late to do away with taxes were 16 trillion in the hole. You can take a very sick person in terms of health. Visit a doctor and have your entire health checked. Cholesterol, blood pressure the whole nine yards. Eat a whole foods and vegetable based diet with no additives or processed food and in 4 weeks re-check your health. You would be amazed by what the change would be. People doing this have reversed cancer and even had blocked arteries in their hearts become unblocked and even heal. Is the public health system or the FDA currently telling us this? The answer is no, if they were you would not be an unbeliever in what I am telling you now. If this is true the two most expensive bills in are nation could be cut in half. Yes people will have to decide on there own just how bad do they really want to live, but currently no one is admitting this truth. The research does exist if you want to find out for yourself. The best one is a documentary entitled Forks over Knives.
I don't doubt what you are telling me now, what I am saying is that it is every single persons God given right to have blocked arteries and eat whatever they please.
Rachel
SanXuary
I HATE TO TELL YOU that you don't fully understand how being in business works. Research what it takes to be in a business without a profit. The only entity that I know that can keep working with paying out more than taking in and still be around is the US GOVERNMENT (THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER ).NO BUSINESS can get more money to operate when they are in debt as is our government. People lose their life savings when a business fails, the workers just lose a job in most instances. Note that corporations are people, people that invest what little they have and hope that they get a return on their investment before the government gets a cut of the profits, if there is any.
On the way to the poverty rolls. LOST 6% on my small IRA, paid $3.67 /gal for gas on my 1988 beater, got a 25% INCREASE in my healthcare insurance, paid 20% HIGHER for food and utility bills that have gone UP 20%. The kicker on my electric bill is a surcharge to pay for green energy regulations to build alternate energy projects. Just another hidden tax that Obama don’t tell people about because people are DUMB. OH, I forgot to include the value of the dollar worth 20% less and value of my small house losing 25% of it’s value in the marketplace.
Followers of Obama believe that the president is doing a great job. Smoke and mirrors covered with a big dose of propaganda helped by the mainstream media and the press.
Americans wake up, seek the whole truth not just a half truth of what Obama is selling. THE RESULT IS POVERTY, HERE WE COME!
Jon: Thanks for the facts and figures.
Rachel
![The Senate Conservatives Killed President Obama's Jobs Bill - Why? (updated 10-21-2011) [93*]](http://s1.hubimg.com/u/5640276_50.jpg "The Senate Conservatives Killed President Obama's Jobs Bill - Why? (updated 10-21-2011) [93*]")
Old Poolman Level 7 Commenter 16 months ago
rachel, great hub, but you need to stop confusing people with facts. Those on the far left are not used to facts, and probably won't understand them anyway.