Global Economy: Poverty & Inequality Starts with Restructuring Beliefs

Despite substantial progress in recent decades in reducing poverty in the world - the proportion of people living in extreme poverty has halved since 1980, more than a billion people still subsist on less than one dollar a day. Over three-quarters of a billion people, many of them children, are malnourished. 

Each year nearly 11 million children die from malnutrition or disease before reaching their fifth birthday; most of these deaths would be easily preventable in any developed country. Over half a million women die every year in childbirth from lack of appropriate health care, malnourishment, or disease. More than 100 million children of primary school age, the majority of them girls, do not attend school.

Staggering as these numbers are, the inequalities in income and other measures both between and within countries are overwhelming as well. Income per capita in the world’s high-income countries, on average, is 65 times that in the low-income countries. Rich countries have 3.7 physicians per 1,000 population, compared with just 0.4 per 1,000 in low-income countries. 

Maternal mortality in childbirth in many low-income African countries is more than 100 times higher than in the high-income countries of Europe. And even though the recent trend in the distribution of world income shows a decline in inequality, it remains quite high. The economic divide within countries is likewise large, particularly in Africa and Latin America. 

In an increasingly interdependent world, the high prevalence and persistence of poverty in developing countries have implications for all countries. Poverty and its associated outcomes can no longer be contained within national boundaries.

To get at the heart of economic recovery we first must understand the past and what did happen and what needs to be corrected so a better future can be formed : Foreign Trade and Global Economic Policies. In understanding the problem, one can see there are two sides to the issue and will take diplomatic efforts to open talks on how needs can be met and what it will take for that to happen and the steps needed to bring the change process.

In the past with foreign policy from the US it has been to the benefit of US and not necessarily to the benefit of the countries that the US was attempting to deal with. This obviously as soured the taste of many global leader to even allow the US to come into trade agreement, which has not been always good for the citizens of the US. What it does mean is that often companies look to replace American workers with lesser expensive works in other countries. Obviously the problem with that is that it creates a trade deficit and lowers the value of the US dollar in the world market and creates inflation for US citizens. An example of this is housing in the US. Thirty years ago one could buy a house for $15-$20,000. The same house as of last year, even though it is older and need of repair costs now about $400,000. Is the house worth more and are we making more in order to pay for that house. The answer is no to both questions and is cutting out the middle class in America as a result leaving the US with two classes basically, those that have and those that don't have and now there are more that do not have than those that do have.

If we are going to change things in the US to start with, which does effect more countries than we tend to think, US citizens need a better voice in the House and Congress in general. There are several lobby groups but those are special interest groups for the most part that do not represent the people, but either business or the special interest group. A clear message needs to be sent and that will take people voting elections and voting in TKOH on important issues that will affect each person in the US.

From the information collected, the information needs to go to decision makers, making it clear that the people have spoke and they will be held accountable for how the vote in the House and the Senate. Your vote and your vote with as little as $1 per month to pay for getting the information to you of what is happening and for us to get the information to policy and law makers is a big step. Your vote here counts. It will take a pro-active effort on peoples part in the US to bring change. The question is, "Is it worth it to you have have your voice heard?"

A democracy is fragile and takes the effort of individuals to make it work. Not everyone can quit their job and move to Washington to be heard, however your dollar and your friends dollars combined all add up to being able to afford to have that voice in Washington and have the funds to bring you directly the information you need on issues that do affect you and your families life. We encourage everyone to get involved in this project. Your vote and your dollars add up quickly. Currently it costs about $14,000 per day to support lobbyists and lobbyist efforts to represent special interests. Getting Involved is the start and is the responsibility of everyone that wants a better to be involved at some level.

Say it can't be done? That is the first belief that needs to be changed. If anyone believes they can't do anything they are defeated before they start. Leave it to someone else? It's your and your families future. Would you leave their up to someone else's that may or may not be working in your best interests? Getting Involved, you can make a difference.

Equality or Inequality Starts at Home!