Re:Silicon Valley Poverty Is Getting Much Worse Amidst Insan...
by sologoub on Monday March 11, 2013 @10:26AM
(#5356874)
Homelessness is an extremely complex issue. As is poverty. This article seems more sensationalist than anything. They lumped several issues together here to create content that sells.
Three key issues raised: homelessness, racial inequality (referring to Hispanic wages), and general income distribution inequality.
General income inequality and the racial flavor touched are likely related to several factors, such as education/line of work and workforce mobility. While you can ensure that people have better jobs through education/training programs, combined with job placements (both extremely non-trivial), people from poor areas will always gravitate to wealthier areas. This has nothing to do with racial/ancestral traits or anything other than people seeking employment in the wealthier areas that are more likely to provide employment opportunities. So, effectively, no matter how good your programs are, you will always have some group that needs help. This is why it's important to focus on a long term, sustainable approach to education and training. There is no silver bullet here, unless you can magically impart that knowledge on every living human.
Homelessness is a completely different can of worms. If you have ever worked with long term homeless you will know that only some actually want to return to "normal" life. I put the word normal in quotes because the perception of what normal shifts. In a conversation that stuck in my mind, one person I spoke to referred to how I live as slavery to money/worldly possessions. I'm sure this is not the sentiment shared by the majority, but it illustrates the complexity of the issue. If we truly pride ourselves in having a free society, we then cannot force a certain way of life on people. What we can and should do is offer support and a way back if people so choose.
Personally, I'd like to see us provide more incentives to wealthy individuals and corporations in supporting educational and other programs to help. An extra tax benefit for keeping the money in US and a solid dose of public support and encouragement. Somehow as a society we love stories of billionaires donating money for causes in Africa or another impoverished place. This public opinion is a strong incentive. If it shifts toward more support at home, the money will follow.
Three key issues raised: homelessness, racial inequality (referring to Hispanic wages), and general income distribution inequality.
General income inequality and the racial flavor touched are likely related to several factors, such as education/line of work and workforce mobility. While you can ensure that people have better jobs through education/training programs, combined with job placements (both extremely non-trivial), people from poor areas will always gravitate to wealthier areas. This has nothing to do with racial/ancestral traits or anything other than people seeking employment in the wealthier areas that are more likely to provide employment opportunities. So, effectively, no matter how good your programs are, you will always have some group that needs help. This is why it's important to focus on a long term, sustainable approach to education and training. There is no silver bullet here, unless you can magically impart that knowledge on every living human.
Homelessness is a completely different can of worms. If you have ever worked with long term homeless you will know that only some actually want to return to "normal" life. I put the word normal in quotes because the perception of what normal shifts. In a conversation that stuck in my mind, one person I spoke to referred to how I live as slavery to money/worldly possessions. I'm sure this is not the sentiment shared by the majority, but it illustrates the complexity of the issue. If we truly pride ourselves in having a free society, we then cannot force a certain way of life on people. What we can and should do is offer support and a way back if people so choose.
Personally, I'd like to see us provide more incentives to wealthy individuals and corporations in supporting educational and other programs to help. An extra tax benefit for keeping the money in US and a solid dose of public support and encouragement. Somehow as a society we love stories of billionaires donating money for causes in Africa or another impoverished place. This public opinion is a strong incentive. If it shifts toward more support at home, the money will follow.