Want to end poverty? Brazil’s answer: Give people money
Here is a brilliant idea for how to help poor people: give them money. Specifically, give them enough money to end their poverty.
This is from Brazils social development minister Tereza Campello, who was in Washington this week discussing the countrys first decade of experience under the highly-touted Bolsa Familia cash transfer program.
Its a discussion relevant to the U.S., involving a simple social contract that hands over cash with no strings attached on how it is spent or who is considered part of a family as long as any kids involved attend school.
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vt_native
(484 posts)"foster a culture of dependence?"
Bennyboy
(10,440 posts)that graduates High School should get 10K when they turn 18. Big incentive to stop drop outs.
I think every (almost) homeless person can be out of that with 10K as well. Pay off child support, fines, legal stuff, get a phone, etc. car. housing......
Instead we pay a hundred times that by providing services for them but not really taking care of the core problems.
musiclawyer
(2,335 posts)Factor in immigration, automation, robotics. Millions over 50 right now will never work again. You can't have 75 million people who can work without work. It's unsustainable. It means social breakdown.
Brazils answer is correct. I agree with the idea of a HS graduation incentive.
I agree with others who call for a guaranteed wage. In present day it should be around 40k for a family of four. Reduced upon mandatory proof of employment. It's really nothing in the big scheme of things but keeps people off the street and the money comes right back. Look at what Phoenix has done to end it's Veterans homeless problem. Same concept. The key will be the narrative. It's not welfare. It's social insurance
notemason
(299 posts)Agree, it does come right back and supports a healthy economy. And the opposition will use the narrative as a club. Social breakdown is not acceptable at any cost.
area51
(11,934 posts)we're already at the point where there aren't enough jobs for the population.
SunSeeker
(51,787 posts)Poverty is caused by poverty wages.
Is the answer
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,941 posts)The only way workers could get that is to form a union and todays workers won't pay $15.00 a month union dues!
TheKentuckian
(25,035 posts)It would seem a part of the puzzle is demand for labor too.
SunSeeker
(51,787 posts)Now everyone in the family needs to work. So, we need more jobs...and/or better pay.