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Published byJoshua Gray Modified over 9 years ago
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Inequality and social policy
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Compensation for bottom 80% of Americans vs productivity growth
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Growing Inequality since ‘74
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1980: CEO pay 40X worker, now: 400X
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International comparison
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why? less progressive taxation since 80s? “progressive” vs “regressive” taxes--income tax, sales tax, estate (death) tax globalization? decline in unionization? changing technology?
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Secession of the successful? Retreating from the public in favor of the private
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The Too-Easy Answer Education
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Social Programs Most benefits go from middle class to middle class Social Security and Medicare are the big items, and growing
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Federal Budget Source: New York Times, Feb. 8, 2005, based on Budget of the United States FY2006, Feb. 8, 2005.
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Social Security Before 1935, poverty among the elderly was much higher than the rest of the population, today lower. How it works: Not means tested You pay 7% of paycheck, employer matches. (Up to income of $87,000).
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Financing social security in the future “Pay as you go” program. Problem: Baby boom approaching retirement age people living longer ratio of workers to beneficiaries dropping benefits higher. What to do? Delay payment age? Reduce payments? Raise tax rate? Privatize?
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Bigger problem--medical care costs Medicaid and Medicare costs growing faster than Social Security
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Medical care delivery Over 40 million Americans without insurance lower life expectancy and higher infant mortality than developed countries on average And we pay more
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A Hard Nut to Crack Sick around America
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Protecting workers Worker safety
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Poverty Today 14%, up from 11% in 2000 “Feminization and infantalization of poverty” -1/5 kids poor, twice rate of other developed countries
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Women and family structure Moynihan report 1965: black kids raised in female-headed families up to 26% Today 68% Lower rates but similar trend among whites Bush admin reaction: Healthy Marriage Initiative
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“Welfare” From AFDC to TANF in 1996 states greater leaway, 2 years at a stretch, 5 total reducing welfare roles--by over half nationally since mid 90s Shift in states’ approach: from cash to transportation assistance, childcare, job training, etc. politically popular, but is it helping the poor?
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Public Housing Senior/Family Section 8 Hope VI
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Other programs Food stamps, WIC SSI, SSDI (Disability) Unemployment insurance Earned Income Tax Credit etc.
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EITC
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