The American Dream

As a result, the widely launched government aid programs were targeted towards these minorities (Glennerster). If the country’s resources are being utilized for a specific segment of the population, then it singles them out for discrimination by those not reaping the taxpayer benefits. The middle class poverty issue is primarily affecting the local state and city governments that are under pressure to fund and supply food banks for people that don’t have the means to do so (Chen). This shows the issue of poverty under these perspectives influences not only local and state governments, businesses, but also people’s attitudes towards those suffering from

Being two of the most respected and qualified academicians on public policy, Charles Murray, and Robert B. Reich have never been short of making controversial and contradicting statements which arguably serves only their interest of getting an audience. Public policy as it is has been subjected to lots of changes throughout the history leading to different reactions and opinions from different individuals. “What it means to be a Libertarian-A Personal Interpretation” written by Charles Murray, explicitly describes how the society should view the government by claiming it can help in achieving overall happiness and allowing members of the society to have a right to individual freedom when coping with the changes brought by public policy. On the other hand, Robert B. Reich’s “Aftershock the next Economy and America’s Future” talks about overcoming our problems by keeping a tier of classes. This paper discusses the contradicting views of these two writers.

The respected political scientist James Q. Wilson summarized this political reality in a single sentence: "Telling people who want clean air, a safe environment, fewer drug dealers, a decent retirement, and protection against catastrophic medical bills that the government ought not to do these things is wishful or suicidal politics." Along with Wilson, Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute, recently noted that the "government social safety net for the truly indigent is one of the greatest achievements of our society....We have to declare peace on the safety net.”-(National Summit Video) Providing such services and securing that safety net does not mean accepting the technocratic mindset of the liberal welfare state. It means replacing that mindset with a conservative approach that puts government on the side of civil society and private enterprise in order to achieve a more just and thriving

“Open ended benefit programs, funded by other people’s money” foster a ’something for nothing’ mentality, that is weakening America”, states Nicholas Eberstadt. The governments need to emphasize unemployment spending and help businesses that are failing, is driving the national debt up by the day (Clemmitt). “Government is what it spends” Allen Schick shares in Clemmitt’s article, but this statement is only factual if that government spends its money wisely.

"The American Dream is that any man or woman, despite of his or her background, can change their circumstances and rise as high as they are willing to work” (Fabrizio Moreira). For many years, men and women struggled to achieve the idealistic life of living on independent terms. Many characters in Of Mice and Men work in order to pursue and achieve the American Dream that consisted of having their own house and income. Characters in the book may use that dream to help the overcome their life struggles and personal problems. Of Mice and Men tells the story of two friends, George and Lennie, who find themselves on a ranch in pursuit of their dreams. Unfortunately for them, circumstances beyond their control cost Lennie and George their dream and much more. In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Steinbeck portrays how dreams create a false sense of hope in order to cover up the realities of life through George, Curley’s wife, and Candy.

“Welfare's purpose should be to eliminate, as far as possible, the need for its own existence (Ronald Reagan).” The Government stands tall as the “big brother” and takes the responsibility of holding the United States up. The question is, is it too much to bear? The United States following the Dust Bowl was a disaster, and this was the first time in history many looked to the government for assistance in holding the country up. What began nearly 100 years ago never ended and only grew into what it is today: welfare, where anyone struggling can receive assistance. Since the 1930’s much has changed, today the government assists low income Americans in many ways just two are providing food and housing.

The American Dream is something that should be for anyone who wants to achieve success, and prosperity through the hard work and determination. According to Webster Dictionary, immigration is the act of moving to another country which is not their native to live there permanently. Many people from all over the world are suffering from hunger, having a polluted country and suffering poverty before you want to be selfish think about all those people who wish to have one fourth of what we all have in America and to be part of the El Dorado where people do not suffer a lot as other countries. Several people from all over the world specially form third world countries that are in war try so hard to complete the Odyssey to the United States for a better life where their dreams can come true. Immigrants who make it to the United States face many discriminations which makes their life harder and difficult. Now those immigrants, how many call them are teachers, doctors, dentists, engineers, and many more occupations and their contributions have a great impact in United Sates. Not only does Mexicans try to come to America to complete their dream come for example also Canadians, Syrians, Cubans and Indians as many other more. Every year more and more immigrants are coming in to United States. The immigrants who crosses the boarder with the hope for a better life have come to be successful at achieving their American Dream and the United States is rapidly increasing their population due

However, the government assistance programs system are often misused. Although some people are unable to obtain government assistance, it is the duty of the American government to take care of the people. An example of the American government taking care of its citizens is the military protecting the country. Government assistance programs are meant to benefit the low class and lower middle economic classes, but even with government assistance programs and support there are still Americans living under the poverty line. Government programs such as welfare, among others, are intended to aid citizens but, are not intended for long term or high capacity use. Impoverished Americans desperately need government support, a raise in the minimum wage is not sufficient. Deciding on who gets aid and who does not should not be an issue of resources for the

But federal aid programs have not helped the poor become self-sufficient or reduced the poverty levels. Ever since welfare has been created it has weakened the American work ethic and encouraged out-of-wedlock births. That unfortunate “tradition” keeps getting passed down from generation to generation (DeHaven). An abundant amount of families out there truly need assistance. The troublesome reality is that the number of people trying to take whatever they can get outweighs the number that’s just trying to get back up on their

The poverty level in America is significantly rising as well as those of other countries. If America’s social safety net programs are barely assisting Americans, how can they allow organizations to donate money to other countries? Yes, it’s true that the foreign countries may not have availability to certain resources, but America must solidify its foundation before helping others. If we do not, the final result will be the downfall of our own country’s well-being. On the other hand, poverty and homelessness are prevalent issues that are global. Americans fortunately have social safety net programs (welfare, unemployment, social security etc.) while other countries do not. Compared to foreign and underdeveloped countries we are more economically sound. Furthermore, Singer’s idea that “money you’re spending on luxuries, not necessities should be given away” (327) is an extreme idea, but should be weighed to see how it could benefit struggling families.

The amount of government intervention in people’s everyday lives has always been a disputed topic. Prominent 19th century French thinker, Alexis de Tocqueville, had very different values on the amount of government support to its population than early 20th century American philosopher John Dewey. Tocqueville was not against government trying to help its citizenry, but realized that the United States’ version of democracy has a unique set of flaws. He saw these flaws as exploitable, and focused mainly on the idea of “soft despotism”, a problem unique to democracies that leads the government to coddle its people. A little under a century later, renowned American philosopher John Dewey argued for his new theory of renascent liberalism.

So is greed for gain the issue or maybe it’s the drive to make more to pay for all the government programs we have/taxes we must pay. Or the extreme other side; where many feel they are entitled. It’s government charity at its finest. Over 35% of the Americans are on welfare. And the number is higher if you count in those who are using other government aid it goes almost to 50%. In Michael Norton’s video, I agree it feels better to give, but in the case of high taxes which go to support the people who choose not work this is not the “Robin Hood, give from the rich to the poor” because we do not have the choice on the give; we do not reap the benefit of feeling good about paying for someone who has been on welfare their whole life. (To be clear I do believe some need our support; vets, disabled, etc. I am referring to those who choose not to work.) The feeling of giving only happens when a person can make that decision personally. One might argue that we are given a choice on taxes and the creation/support of welfare, because we vote and choose our elected officials. The earmarks, the gaming, all the clauses (based on someone’s agenda) has grown over the years in our government and we have in turn have ‘breed’ the entitled

The United States is represented by a democracy where all the citizens have a chance to play a role and is provided with goods and services to certain limits. With that being said, there are two types of goods, public goods and private goods. Public goods are goods that is available to everyone and you cannot be denied that good. Private goods are something you have to pay for that is usually costly. In most cases public good and private goods are distinguished between “needs” and “wants”. There are certain things that should be considered public goods and private goods because some things are not in the perspective of others depending on family sizes, or income.

On a domestic level, the United States has been torn between rugged individualism and social welfare, concerning aid/relief, since the country's inception (Welfare, n.d.). The argument is usually rhetorically spun, one side stating that an individual should be responsible for their own destiny, they should rise to the challenges of life, meeting each one head on, with an equal chance to succeed or fail. The problem with adhering only to this frame of reference is that it generalizes the complicated and varied experience that is human existence. Humans are born into the world and are taught by their caretakers and environment. For instance, what is valued, what is taboo, which career paths are acceptable and what success is defined by are

The donor/voter's motive for income redistribution may not be the welfare of the recipients but rather a desire toeliminate some perceived problem—homeless people on the streets, slum housing, or students who disrupt the learningprocess in public schools because of illness or hunger. Providing specific goods or services is a more direct way ofaccomplishing that goal." (Amacher, R., & Pate, J.,