Blog 3: Post B: Shipler, Chapter 11, Skill & Will.

Mr. Shipler states that all ways to get out of poverty must be accomplished at once, and to this I do not agree. 

Let's look back to what "all ways" include to be. On page 4 of the introduction section, Mr. Shipler states that "A set of skills, a good starting wage, and a job with the likelihood of promotion are prerequisites. But so are clarity of purpose, courageous self-esteem, a lack of substantial debt, the freedom from illness or addiction, a functional family, a network of upstanding friends, and the right help from private or governmental agencies." 

While ideally it would help out every single poor working person to have everything put in place all at once to finally escape the shackles of poverty, realistically this idea is not feasible. It would never work, it would have to be that all the stars would need to be aligned for it all to work out for everyone at the same time.  All social organizations would have to work together to make this happen by providing everyone with resources for affordable housing, medical insurance, food stamp benefits, etc. All employers would have to agree to pay their workers at least $15 or above for an hourly wage, more dependent on the average cost of living of a particular city.  And with those jobs, everyone would have to be guaranteed the possibility of a promotion.

In a magic world I could see this happening, and wouldn't it be great to finally eradicate hunger, homelessness, drug addiction and overall crime?  

Yes, I would love to see the day where we would all be equal and treated based on our character and not on the stereotypes that come accompany us based on our race or gender.  The truth is the powers that be, the ones who control our society would have to give up their crowns and thrones, and who ever wants to give up their power for the sake of helping us meager folk? No one. It'll never happen..businesses would lose out on what drives this country..greed, money, fame...

To eradicate and solve poor people's problems would mean to lose out on money made out by businesses that cater to their weaknesses like casinos and payday loan stores.  Prisons would be forced to shut down because of decline of population because poor people would not have to resort to steal and kill for money and food and their drug use because they have the good paying jobs now, they can afford the things they need.  

This brings me to a cliche' I often hear, "when you know better, you do better".  While one wants to believe that knowledge is power, not everyone will apply those skills because they lack the will to do and be better no matter if everything is put in place for them to succeed. 

Shipler, D. (2005). The Working Poor: Invisible in America. New York: Vintage Books