This article by Paul Krugman of The New York Times News Service identifies the current view of the “War on Poverty.” It addresses some interesting issues and questions and no doubt sets a foundation for what will be the derivative impact of this November’s elections.
It is very clear that health care and how it gets “nationalized” will be central themes at the crux of the debate, especially if a Democrat wins and regardless who that Democrat happens to be.
At the same time, central to the next decade is our next step in dealing with poverty in America. The question isn’t the moral mandate, or even the debate as to whether there is poverty. The question comes down to the way in which it’s handled. Democrats in the past have tried various subsidy programs which, as the article suggests, put the war on poverty in ill repute. Simultaneously, the Republicans have attempted market economics, which have limited relevance when what is necessary is the ability to reach into the very heart of the family structure at a young age in order to break the poverty cycle.
As we create a mandate for the years ahead, within the context of what will probably be a split government with even further divisions within the parties themselves, the issue will be how we handle these types of strong social needs: medical care, reducing poverty, and improving education. Enjoy the article.
Original writing date: February 19, 2007
Article date: February 18, 2008