Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Period 1 Blog Post- Due Monday

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-ehrenreich/nickel-and-dimed-2011-ver_b_922330.html

1.  Read the article.  Consider the author's tone, structure of the essay, and your personal reaction.
2. Please add an intelligent comment (minimum 3 sentences) in response to the linked article from the NY Times.  Be sure to reference specifics from the article.
3. Optional: Comment on a classmates post in a second post (minimum 3 sentences)
*Use only your first name, last initial and class period.

22 comments:


  1. After reading this article, I realized that the author used a very matter-of-fact tone to describe the horrific situation that the poor are facing today. In the article, the author frequently mentions how the poor are more apt to have physical/mental disabilities that the government doesn’t give aid to. This proves to be a vicious cycle that the poor cannot stop without the help of the government. Due to the fact that many families make minimum wage, they are living under the poverty line. With this distinction, they suffer from many inconveniences such as lack of shelter, healthcare, and food. In one situation described in the article, “At school, the Parentes’ seven-year-old’s class was asked to write out what wish they would present to a genie, should a genie appear. Brianna’s wish was for her mother to find a job because there was nothing to eat in the house, an aspiration that her teacher deemed too disturbing to be posted on the wall with the other children’s requests.” These disturbing circumstances show just how terrible the situation was; the child even realized that times were hard at home.
    Jillian M. Period 1

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  2. This article had a very direct tone to it. Barbara Ehrenreich clearly stated that "The short answer is that things have gotten much worse, especially since the economic downturn that began in 2008." She talked about how low-wage workers have no benefits. I agree with her statement that the things have gotten worse. There are less jobs to even find, and even the higher-educated people can't find jobs. Our economy has been twisted and heading for the worst. We need to change that by adding more jobs, or else the people in poverty will just keep increasing.
    Scott K. Period 1

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  3. This article goes into depth about the types of people Nickel and Dimed was written about. I noticed that the tone of this article was very factual to prove the writer's points. It talks about who they and what they originally came from and how the economy stole them of a non low class lifestyle. It talks about the hardships these people face every day when they get out of bed. These people work twice as hard as most people but still have nothing. One person that they talk about in the article has diabetes and on top of that, a heart disease but cannot afford healthcare. This is unacceptable. She deserves to have a healthcare especially under the conditions she undergoes at her job. The long hours and constant work are effecting her health. It shows it here in the article, "Caroline,” now in her 50s and partly disabled by diabetes and heart disease, had left her deadbeat husband and was subsisting on occasional cleaning and catering jobs. Neither seemed unduly afflicted by the recession, but only because they had already been living in what amounts to a permanent economic depression". The kind of emotional and physical stress these low class workers go through is vast and should be stopped immediately.
    Mike A.

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  4. This article is very direct, and to the point. Things have gotten much worse since Barbra Ehrenreich wrote her book "Nickel and Dimed." She wrote that, "The big question, 10 years later, is whether things have improved or worsened for those in the bottom third of the income distribution...The short answer is that things have gotten much worse, especially since the economic downturn that began in 2008." I feel that if we don't work as one to improve these jobs, then things will just continue to get worse. Some people don't understand how bad these people have it, and don't see why or how they become so poor until they read about these things. This type of information isn't just passed around, and we need to start spreading the truth about what is happening.
    Chris A. Period 1

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  5. I feel like Barbara's tone through out was very informative. Woven through the article are countless facts and statistics. She focuses more on the outcome of the world since the book, and with that, comes mostly numbers. One thing that really stood out to me, however, was a statement that a San Francisco billboard made, stating, "Make love not war,” and then -- down at the bottom -- “Screw it, just make money.” This stands out to me for a couple of reasons. For one, it shows the materialistic side of our human nature, and in a way shows that we need money to survive. Nothing is free in this world anymore. Also, at least to me anyway, this is a pathetic statement. There is so much more than money. We take everything for granted. I can't really explain all to clearly what I'm trying to say, so I will leave it here. However, Barbara's check up after time has proven that things haven't changed for the better. Things really need to start looking up.
    Skyler U. Period 1

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  6. Barbara Ehrenreich is very informative and straightforward in Nickel and Dimed and this article. Nickel and Dimed was written at a time of prosperity, when people were quickly striking rich and indifferent to poverty. A decade later, Ehrenreich finds that things have only worsened for those at the bottom third of the income distribution. People, during the recession, have attempted to cope by giving up health care, meals, and a proper living space. But as more have fallen into poverty, the government has failed to expand welfare to necessary levels and aid to recovery. As the economy has worsened, "the criminalization of poverty has actually intensified... So concludes a recent study from the National Law Center on Poverty and Homelessness, which finds that the number of ordinances against the publicly poor has been rising since 2006, along with the harassment of the poor for more “neutral” infractions like jaywalking, littering, or carrying an open container." The impoverished, especially those of color, have been incarcerated for crimes, that are, ultimately, because they are poor (such as they cannot make court dates ). Although a solution to poverty seems challenging, Ehrenreich informs us that we must stop underpaying workers, treating them as criminals, and essentially, "kicking people when they’re down."
    Isabel B Period 1

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  7. Ehrenreich wrote this article with a very serious tone as seen when she writes "It would have been impossible to repeat my Nickel and Dimed “experiment,” had I had been so inclined, because I would probably never have found a job." She follows up this serious tone by structuring the article in a way that emphasizes her serious tone. She does this by sectioning off the article with sub headtitles that emphasized her tone. As for my reaction i think the article wasn't suprising because i'd expect things to get worse after a economic depression, but i did find the part about welfare startling. I think the welfare system is unfair and really demanding seeing that it is suppose to help families in need not drive them away. There shouldn't be these unfair expectations on the things you're expected to do while on welfare and obviously the question "how far should we push people?" hasn't been asked or if it has it was answered with unreal expectations. Either way the welfare system should be fixed because it is meant to help or at least that was the purpose of the system one point.
    Jake J 1st

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  8. Despite the fact that I did not enjoy Nickled and Dimed, I found this article much more intriguing. I found that although in Nickled and Dimed it was more moving to hear the toil and journey she went through, at parts it was easy to miss important ideas. This article was much more factual and to the point (probably because it didn't have 200 pages to explain itself), which I found more dramatic. One idea from the book and this article that I feel very strongly about is health insurance. Ehrenreich writes, "How have the already-poor attempted to cope with their worsening economic situation? One obvious way is to cut back on health care." To me after reading Nickeled and Dimed my view on the subject of healthcare dramatically changed. It all seemed so inhumane how people can get injured and have no place to get help. I used to think a lot of people were just too lazy to find a job and were taking the easy way out until I was shown the real situation of many. How can people get on back their feet if their legs are broken? Another idea that really went well with this was Steinbeck's 'one big human soul' idea. You don't need to be spiritual to understand that it's the right thing to help someone when they need it.
    - Marshall B

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  9. This article was very insightful, personal, and sentimental; but truth be told, there was nothing that was surprising. If you had watched one segment of the news from 2007-today, there would be a plethora of horrible stories like the one's Barbara wrote about. The sad fact is, most of the things Barbara wrote about in the article is true. We, as the general public, have the perception to "which poverty has indeed been criminalized in America." Why is it that we feel bad about the less fortunate when this is being brought up but it doesn't cross our minds when it is not a matter at hand. These types of stories about people on food stamps, with thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills happen everyday, but rarely do we stop and think about what to do about it. Is there anything that we can do about it? Maybe there isn't, more probably there is; but the public can't go along and read these articles and feel pity for the people, rather to take action to help them. This article discusses the action we can do, offering up a new discussion of thought.
    Tom S

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  10. In response to the article I found that Barbara Ehrenreich was very factual and straightforward. She uses many facts and statistics to show how poverty and homelessness is a bigger problem now than it was when she wrote her book Nickel and Dimed, her experiment showed the real problems in American society. Those main problems would be that many people are losing their jobs and trying to get government aid with no avail. In the article Ehrenreich states, “We do of course have a collective way of ameliorating the hardships of individuals and families—a government safety net that is meant to save the poor from spiraling down all the way to destitution. But its response to the economic emergency of the last few years has been spotty at best”. The government claims that they have ways of helping the homeless and poor but what they don’t know is that how some of those things aren’t working well for people in need. The flaws in the aiding of the poor and homeless are showing more and more due to the declining of the economy. Getting aid from the government takes a lengthy process that even when finished people still don’t get the help they need. To make things better for everyone I believe that we shouldn't turn our backs on people in need ad we need to give the workers better wages to support themselves and their families.
    Ariana D. Period 1

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  11. I think the author's tone is informative, stern, and sassy. In her writings she uses phrases such as “the city that is ultimately responsible for the bullet he took in the spine in Phu Bai, Vietnam, in 1972.” which throws shade at all of Washington that someone that fought for our country isn’t even living a somewhat decent life in said country. She uses words to make people shameful. I think the article should be a wake up call to people who don’t understand how hard it seems to be being an adult and caring for yourself and others while only working a middle class job.
    --Katherine S period one

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  12. This article made me think more about the points made in the book and how severe the economic struggle was than I did while reading it, because it was more to the point and straightforward. She explains that people had to cut back on almost everything, including food, housing, and healthcare. Since people were so used to having to limit what they spend their little money on, “Neither seemed unduly afflicted by the recession, but only because they had already been living in what amounts to a permanent economic depression.” We live in an area that doesn’t usually face the struggles like the people Barbara describes, so we don’t have to worry about becoming homeless, but many families in America are living paycheck to paycheck and worry if they’ll have somewhere to sleep at night. The continuous low wages make it hard to provide necessities for one person, but in many cases they have to provide for a whole family.
    Emma D p1

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  13. This article had a very direct and to the point tone. Barbara Ehrenreich made use of many statistics to help prove her point, such as, “people who’ve lost their jobs, or at least their second jobs, cope by doubling or tripling up in overcrowded apartments, or by paying 50 or 60 or even 70 percent of their incomes in rent.” However, she only talked about the people who deserve help. It made the article seem to only focus on one point of view, which is that the poor are never in the wrong. This couldn't be more untrue. Yes, there are those out there that deserve the help of the government. Even though they have made all the right choices and did all the proper things, they still can’t seem to get ahead. The college graduate who can’t find a job and can’t pay off his/her student loans. The veteran who comes back to a country that seems to only talk the talk and not walk the walk. However, there are also those that don't deserve the governments help. High school drop outs. People who take advantage of government aid and try to live off it while they are getting money from a working boyfriend/girlfriend. Those people make up a good portion of the statistics she waved around.
    Chad C, Period 1

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  14. This article was informative, straight to the point, and serious. While I had previously known that there were policies that that make poor people’s situations worse, I was very surprised at the details Barbara mentioned in this article. She writes about how the government, through its seemingly harsh policies towards the poor make, it essentially illegal to be in poverty and how police officers will punish the homeless like convicts. Even to go as far as making people who are in prisons (something which is obviously not chosen) pay for their room and boards is to simply put it, inhumane and frankly unnecessary. Barbara writes, “In what has become a familiar pattern, the government defunds services that might help the poor while ramping up law enforcement. Shut down public housing, then make it a crime to be homeless.” Actions like these lead the American people to believe that the government has never had any intention to help its own citizens in poverty. This article is good at outlining what changes can be mad to turn this hostile system around.

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  15. While reading this article, I found it to have a very direct and informative tone. I believe the tone was informative because It was letting the reader know how the world stands today compared to when Ehrenreich first wrote "Nickle and Dimed". She clearly says that times have become much worse than they were. She states, "The short answer is that things have gotten much worse, especially since the economic downturn that began in 2008." I feel that in order to change the direction we are going in, we need to do something about it. We can't wait for 10 more years to go by and then realize that things have continuously gotten worse. I think the writers tone was direct and informative because she believes that something needs to be done. I appreciate Ehrenreich's direct tone because I feel it will attract peoples attention and make then understand that change needs to be created. Alyssa S class 1

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  16. The tone of Barbara Ehrenreich is straight forward and informative.
    Ehrenreich states that people won't understand the struggles of those living in poverty unless they experience it first hand. Barbara says that this country is getting worse and very few improvements are being made. Sure, poverty is a big issue, but we had leaders in this country who strive to create a better world for everyone to live in. In my opinion,the middle class have difficulties voting leader to help them and the rich folks get a better suited leader to continue the corruption. Barbara states that those who are privileged won't understand the meaning of living in poverty. They have to experience it firsthand. A lot of greedy folks are going to find themselves learning the true meaning of poverty. Worst of all, as Ehrenreich points out, is that many states are making prisoners pay for their own incarceration.As poverty rates increase, the leaders are getting stronger, creating a bigger middle class and a smaller upper class.She wrote," Today,the answer seems both more modest and more challenging: if we want to reduce poverty, we have to stop doing the things that make people poor and keep them that way.” Therefore, I believe that poor people should unite and vote on a greater leader which may help reduce poverty.
    Shradha S P.1

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  17. This article came across as very "to the point" and informative. Ehrenreich states how times have certainly changed for the worst since she performed her experiment. This gets me thinking about all of the possible factors that have impacted this change such as the economic fall that began in 2008 and different government changes, decisions, and policies over time. My personal opinion is that it's going to take much more than the government to change the living situations that are present now. People have previously and currently taken stand against their employers with strikes, unions, and other forms of protest. Additionally, Barbara mentions how we now have a right to food stamps if needed, which I see as a positive change in our society. However, America's setting right now is no where near where it should be, and therefore, there are many changes that still need to be made.
    Sam C P.1

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  18. It was very interesting to see Babara reflect on her book and to talk of how she felt things have changed and how things have stayed the same. I do agree with her on her final point where she says that if we cant help people we should stop kicking them when there down I beleive it is very important to understand this.if someone falls and you cant help them up fine but you certainly dont push them futher down. In the end Barbara is right and we still need to do more to change.
    Tyler R P1

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  19. This article is very clear in stating that things have in fact gotten much worse. Ehrenreich stresses that, "The short answer is that things have gotten much worse, especially since the economic downturn that began in 2008." While politicians and large business owners make it seem that things are always better than ever and that there are an abundance of jobs, the truth is that it's not. There are still a lack of jobs and families living paycheck to paycheck. In order for anything to actually change, drastic deciosions need to be made and not decisions that will end up working in a few years because that has not proven to work. The author relates this to Nickle and Dimed because she describes how people today are still living in similar circumstances.
    -Shelby O (period 1)

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  20. This article is very clear in stating that things have in fact gotten much worse. Ehrenreich stresses that, "The short answer is that things have gotten much worse, especially since the economic downturn that began in 2008." While politicians and large business owners make it seem that things are always better than ever and that there are an abundance of jobs, the truth is that it's not. There are still a lack of jobs and families living paycheck to paycheck. In order for anything to actually change, drastic deciosions need to be made and not decisions that will end up working in a few years because that has not proven to work. The author relates this to Nickle and Dimed because she describes how people today are still living in similar circumstances.
    -Shelby O (period 1)

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  21. This article really shows that nothing much has changed for lower earning working class people in the last ten years. Currently there is attention to the need to try and pass a bill to increase minimum wage; because the need is seen and there needs to be a plan that is put into action. Also, the big companies are having record earnings because of the hard workers that are working for them, for barely any money. This isn't right and I believe that we should try and improve our earning power of the working class. We can't keep letting people we know, maybe even our friends and families live like this. For example. the current passing of Obamacare is great, this is because it has enables people with out insurance to gain insurance. This was a great article for informing me and my peers of the current situation at hand. Personally, I gained a lot of information from the article, it made me realize how lucky I am.
    Maddy G (period 1)

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  22. Barbra Ehrenreich's response to the success of her book really surprised me. She saw amazement that the book had reached bestseller status, a reaction that I think should be different. Ehrenreich wrote the book to grab the attention of the american living in both poverty and middle to upper class. Since Nickel and Dimed reached a best seller status, that objective was complete. She now had the attention she needs to elicit a great social change. However, we ourselves must also do our part to encourage and help others out of poverty by giving them benefits and other aid to make sure that they can make it the next day and keep themselves moving on.

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