Summaries

Summaries

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Summaries

Article 1:

Rank (2013), in Poverty in America is Mainstream notes that poverty is a topic and issue in the American society, which is distorted resulting in inefficacious domestic policies that are unable to curb this menace. Poverty in the American society is a distorted concept given that it is associated with laziness, easy access to welfare assistance and only affects a relatively small number of Americans. The author notes that the number of Americans exposed and experiencing poverty in the country is extremely high, contrary to popular belief that a majority of citizens live in comfort.

He notes that his research illustrates that more than 40% of Americans who are aged 25-60 are susceptible to experience a year of poverty with incomes below $23,492 for families of four individuals. He adds that an additional 54% of individuals will also experience a year of poverty. In addition, he notes that an average of four out of five people is likely to experience unemployment, near-poverty, and reliance on welfare for survival. Thus, poverty is rampant in the American society as it is experienced by a significant number of people.

He also notes that inner city poverty is widespread with the perception that it only affects minority groups. Laziness is not correlated to poverty given that a majority of individuals living in near or absolute poverty consistently work several jobs to sustain themselves and their families. He notes that attitudes of individuals experiencing poverty are a reflection of general mind-sets of a majority of Americans with respect to employment, government assistance, and life in poverty. He provides that way out of the poverty crisis in the United States can be achieved through decent wage rates, providing support for quality healthcare systems, and ensuring equal opportunities in access to quality education around the country (Rank, 2013).

Article 2:

Dewan (2014) in How Obamacare Could Unlock Job Opportunities provides that a large number of Americans are in employment positions that they dislike due to the need to sustain their health insurance covers. It is estimated that more than 11 million workers are in a “job lock”, which means that they are solely in employment due to the health insurance and other incentives provided to them by their employers. In addition, more than 25% of individuals who do not consider incentives such as health insurance are likely to change their employers (Dewan, 2014).

The new legislation named Obamacare was developed with the need to provide solutions for such inefficiencies within the labor market. The program provides transfer of risk given that it ensures consistent access to insurance coverage for individuals who are unemployed. On the other hand, the United States Congressional budget Office in February 2014 noted that more than 2.5million jobs would likely be lost with the enactment of the legislation. Reduction in the number of jobs would be as a result in the decline in the overall levels of labor supplied by workers, rather than a reduction in the demand for labor by employers and businesses around the country (Dewan, 2014).

The occurrence is positive from an economical perspective given that it provides incentives for the labor force through allocation of the workforce in an efficient manner. This means that elderly individuals may seek retirement and in the process provide new employment opportunities for the young and vibrant. In addition, efficient allocation of labor means that individuals are drawn to positions that suit their strengths, which ensures equilibrium in distribution of talent amongst employers. The author emphasizes on the need for risks as a means of inducing growth and jumpstarting the economy. This provides new employment and generates wealth for individuals and revenues for the government (Dewan, 2014).

References

Rank, M. R. (2013). “Poverty in America is Mainstream” New York Times. Retrieved from http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/02/poverty-in-america-is-mainstream/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0&gwh=EB46058D9D25398D4D984D3A66527C63&gwt=pay&assetType=opinion

Dewan, S. (2014). “How Obamacare Could Unlock Job Opportunities” New York Times. Retrieved from
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/magazine/how-obamacare-could-unlock-job-opportunities.html?gwh=3472A643F0AF010B7AC03A4C1620E484&gwt=pay