Camille Williams-2nd reading assignment thoughts

My name is Camille Williams and I personally enjoyed part two of the book. I felt that it focused more on the laws and policies that dealt with poverty in general.  I noticed how many personal stories of people living in poverty shared and how they struggled as well which was similar to the first half. As I continued to read, a common theme that kept sticking out to me was the implementation of societal programs that have been put in place to help those in need that are living in poverty; however, it appears the programs are failing instead of helping. There were 2 quotes that stood out to me while reading. The first quote is on page 99 and states “we force people to become very, very poor before we are able to help them” (Abramsky, p.99). I believe that statement is true because it seems that programs are set in place but when too much damage is done and it is hard to climb up the ladder. Another quote that stood out to me is when it is stated “accessing core benefits such as TANF has been made ever more difficult, in terms of the severity of the means tests imposed, the work requirements, and the add-on difficulties that some states track on, such as drug-testing applicants and charging fees for the application” (Abramsky, p. 105). It seems that states are still trying to make money at any cost even though people are in poverty. It is also mentioned that states seem to be unenthusiastic about funding federally required safety net programs for individuals and families. Moreover, I was especially saddened to know that children suffered the effects of poverty even in school. I know that harm can be done to families with children in poverty such as a greater drop-out rate or inattentiveness. On page 223, Abramsky talks about how the school lunch enrollment systems, operated by states, fail to keep up with the amount of children who need meals at school. I find this disturbing that children, most who are not of legal age to work, have to struggle not only at home, but at a place that should be considered an escape; school. From the reading, I see that there are many issues with the Food Stamp programs no matter how many modifications have been implemented. Abramsky explains that “while food stamps served to limit the slide into poverty for the newly unemployed working poor, the program did little to halt the slide into ever-deeper poverty for those who had no jobs to lose in the first place” (Abramsky, p. 223).  There seems to not be enough aid to stop individuals from going deeper into poverty which is what I believe a real safety net is supposed to do. Potential Test Question: What are some suggestions you have to stop individuals from sliding even deeper down the poverty ladder?