Fighting the War Against Poverty

Today while listening to the song "Changes" by Tupac, some of the lyrics caught my attention. They went something like, "There's war on the streets and a war in the middle east. Instead of a war on poverty they've got a war on drugs so the police can bother me." I can picture everyone living in poverty raising their fist to that line like it's some great truth. But what would a "war on poverty" consist of? Making more jobs, or just giving out money to those who don't feel like having one? I have come up with 3 easy solutions to this poverty problem so many Americans can't seem to overcome. They are almost too simple, I think if anything a "war on mindset" needs to be fought against those living in poverty first.

1) Practice Safer Sex

The estimated cost of raising a child in the year 2007 is $12,211(and that's just for one year) That should say enough, but still it is all too common a sight to see people living at or below the poverty level walking down the street with five or more kids trailing behind them. If every American's tax dollars are going into raising them, how is that not a "war on poverty"? Imagine the money that could be saved, and spent on something more useful if only safer sex would have been somewhere in the equation, but the kids keep popping up and so do the complaints about "the way things are." But who is making them the way they are? That question always seems to be overlooked. So, if less kids equals more money what does this mean for those living in poverty? This brings me to my next point.

2) Budget Your Money

If I had a dollar for every person I've seen claming to be "in poverty" wearing a brand new pair of Nikes I would probably have enough money to buy myself a new pair as well. There is no possible reason why one should pay more for ones outfit, car, or the accessories on ones car than on ones house. But this sounds much better in theory than in reality, cuz' you ain't a pimp if your car ain't fly, and obviously being a pimp is a few notches higher on the importance scale than finding a way out of poverty. I am not speaking of everyone of course, just those I have seen wearing Nikes. But why is a house important if no one is going to see it? Believe it or not, unlike spinners or a brand new stereo system houses appreciate over time, what does this mean? By owning a house, you will be making money in the long run, how's that for a war on poverty?

3) Get An Education

An education is the single most important thing anyone could have when it comes to making money. There are so many scholarships out there now that there is no reason at all anyone shouldn't be able to go to college, unless they didn't make it through high school. This one can be split up into three sub categories A) Stay in school, it is free therefore poverty cannot be blamed for not getting a high school diploma B) Go to college, if you can't afford it, you will qualify for enough scholarships that will enable you to afford it C) Get a job, with a degree there are so many jobs even someone living in poverty can attain. Making an honest living is important believe it or not, because in the case of someone stealing anything from you, the law will be there to protect you, not just your gun.