Bennett Wiley
December 9, 2013
California, Not So Golden
California, one of the biggest states, also has the largest poverty problem. Which to many, myself included may come as a surprise. As when picturing California, the mind is filled with images of celebrities, Hollywood for that matter, professional sports team, the beach, surfing, and all the tourist sites. Very solemnly does poverty even come to cross the mind when California also known as the Golden State is the topic.
The US Census Bureau typically measures the poverty line at roughly $23,492, for an average family of four. It does not include the geographical variations in the cost of living, as well as non-cash benefits as tax credits. However if it were to include these factors, the poverty rate of Los Angeles County, already home to America’s largest poverty rate, expands from 18% all the way up to 27%. Now that’s quite remarkable. Los Angeles County isn’t alone though, other cities, larger ones per say like San Francisco almost double their poverty rate with the inclusion of those elements. California’s poverty rate overall with the inclusion of those factors climbs to 22%. With that being said, and doing the math, around 8 million people barely meet their needs to get by on a day to day basis. Potentially leaving a quarter of America’s future(children) living in poverty in the state of California.
John Husing, an Inland Empire Economist says, “Everyone knows it’s an issue, but no one is talking about it.” This is primarily due to California having to manage its fiscal issue, which is another problem in itself. The inland empire where John Husing is an economist includes Riverside County. A county where recently a woman from Palm Springs, a town that is doing well to say the least(tourist town), called Second Harvest food bank, because she could not afford to feed her visiting family for Thanksgiving. This is old lady is not alone, California’s inland areas, such as the Inland Empire, and San Joaquin Valley(Agriculture land), have always been second to the coastal civilization, in employment, income and education. It’s an issue that is being brought up more in meetings. According to the Economist, at the California Economic Summit, gathering of notable people within the state, the bicker was primarily of “two California’s”: the wealthy coastal part and the struggling inland bit. Fresno and San Bernardino are two prime examples of communities coping with poverty.
Jerry Brown the governor doesn’t seemed to be to worried about the high poverty rate. As he points out, “Low skilled immigrants flock to the state, and take low paid jobs.” He makes quite the point here, because the difference in ethinicity is quite clear. Almost one third of California’s Latinos live in poverty. to make matters worse they only have a high school diploma at best. Now while Brown may come off as stubborn he has made efforts to school finances, by putting more money towards poorer areas. In addition he has also approved a raise in the minimum wage that would make minimum wage a suitable 10 dollars an hour starting in 2016. He’s got a lot on his plate as governor, as it’s a cycle of problems, that correspond with each other almost too much.
What’s at focus is how the poverty rate is changed, as with the raise of minimum wage, some may get out of poverty and be heavily benefited by this change. However, seeing both sides to this alternative, some say this wage increase will kill jobs. The one thing that can’t be complained about is the cash flow, to poorer areas for education. As a notable chunk of California’s future lives in a poverty, education can be the path to a life out of poverty, and in return a brighter future for California. If the education is not being benefited by more cash flow, then California is on a downhill slope, as more poverty according to studies may lead to more crime, and with Los Angeles, that’s no secret. So while thinking of California, perhaps a different image may come to mind, one of poverty, and perhahps a thought of worry.
Works Cited
The Economist. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. <http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21590933-americas-biggest-state-has-americas-biggest-poverty-problem-not-so-golden>.
This is an awesome topic Bennett! It's easy to overlook such a rate of poverty when some of the nation's richest people call California home. Raising minimum wage to $10 is definitely a possible solution, however, there is a high chance many jobs will be killed and it could discourage people from continuing their education. I'm sure that California already puts a great amount of money into education but I really do think that is the root solution. If the government used that money to provide cheaper and more accessible education for impoverished areas instead of raising the minimum wage we could raise up new leaders. This could allow California to go uphill instead of downhill as far as future generations go. I loved reading this!
ReplyDeleteI think it’s interesting that no one thinks of California as a poor area because of the little area where celebrities live. Also I thought John Husing, quote, “Everyone knows it’s an issue, but no one is talking about it.” Was a good quote because I think it happens more often. People ignore issues hopping they go away but by doing this though the problems just become bigger.
ReplyDeletePoverty strikes many parts of the world, but I don't think many people were aware of California's high poverty rate. Like you said, when people think of California, they think of Hollywood, celebrities, beaches, etc. Not many people think of poverty as being a big issue here, and this could be a growing problem. I don't think enough is being done about this, and we don't want it to get more out of hand than it already is. Raising minimum wage may solve the problem, but giving 10 dollars an hour for some jobs is ridiculous, and this may not motivate some people, and this may make the dollar not go as far as it goes today.
ReplyDeleteReally solid post Bennett. From the terms you used such as "cash flow", it sounds to me that you're leaning towards a proactive approach from the government--subsidies towards education for example--and I would have to agree with you. California is going to have to make an investment in their future with education. With higher skilled labor, the hundreds of technology driven businesses in the Golden State shouldn't have trouble finding the needed labor within their own state rather than looking elsewhere--which in hand leads to money staying within the state.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very beneficial topic to talk about for, as you mentioned, not many people know about this pressing matter. It kind of worries me that California is so willing to raise the minimum wage price so easily. I feel as if that will increase our inflation problem, and as you said discourage people to get a quality education. However, I'm sure that the increase will help a substantial amount of people out of the hole when it comes to financial issues. Ultimately, I'm glad you decided to write about this topic, because it has to be raised to the attention of other people and states. The fact that the poverty rate when up 9% is frightening and must be addressed as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteI actually don't find it very surprising that there is so much poverty. With such a large population that California has, they must have a shortage of jobs. Another thing is that every there is so so expensive. It's not a huge surprise that only the celebrities and CEOs of companies can afford to live in such a lavish and expensive area. Poverty is a huge issue in California and it has been for a very long time. That's why places like Skid Row exist.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely weird to think of California as a place filled with poverty but it definitely makes sense. The part that you mentioned about people with low educations flocking to the state in search of work is slightly unique to California so it makes sense that it would be part of the problem. But with all of the tourism and the ideal climate, I feel like there should be ways to provide more people with jobs than what they are doing now.
ReplyDeleteRaising the minimum wage brings us back to the topic that we had a few weeks ago regarding unemployment and minimum wage. While raising the minimum wage will make it easier for families to pay for education, it might force some small business's to go out of business, creating even more of a shortage of jobs.
ReplyDeleteMore and more I have been finding just how great our poverty is here in America, and like you, it takes me by surprise. I would not have expected such great depths of poverty here in the USA. But, I suppose it does not shock me as much that there is much poverty in California. I say this because it is such a large state with a lot of attraction for people with the beautiful weather! It is no surprise the homeless would choose the sunny weather versus cold Wisconsin. Also, if their minimum wage is going to increase, that is a positive as well. But really, how can we say that any of that is much of a positive when they are living with close to nothing. It is heartbreaking, and I wish we could do more about it.
ReplyDeleteI never realized how much California is heading towards a downward spiral. I knew there was a high rate of poverty there, but I didn't know "around 8 million people barely meet their needs to get by on a day to day basis." Also, I feel that trying to improve education for future generations will help the poverty level because people will have greater opportunities for more advanced jobs. However, by raising minimum wage it will only help the California economy temporarily, and in the end this standardized increase will only cause inflation rates to increase.
ReplyDeleteIt actually doesn't surprise me that California is hitting all these low poverty levels. As a huge state, keeping up the employment rates as the population increases in large cities is not easy. And like you said, government officials are not the best with their fiscal policies which would only make the problems worse. I do not think that they should raise minimum wage because as many others said above, it will only help short term and make people comfortable in their current lifestyle, causing them to never strive for something more.
ReplyDeleteI've had friends that visited Los Angeles and said that it's not what we all think it is, and now here's evidence. A lot of people think that they're all rich, and wealthy but that's not the case apparently. It is true though how many immigrants are entering taht area and are somehow surprised that they are living in poverty. Education should be at least a factor to help those in need of it because they won't make it far with just a diploma obviously... unless they invent a flying car in their garage. Otherwise, government officials haven't seemingly been helpful in the matter and their attention needs to be drawn more to this issue. Hopefully the rise of minimum wage does something.
ReplyDeleteGood job Bennett, I personally would have never expected California to be in poverty. Especially due to the fact that a large amount of celebrities live there. Cali is such a big state and they are probably really tight on jobs. Raising the minimum wage wouldn't do much for them either, because it wont help them in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI liked you topic Bennett. I would never think of California being in poverty. When I was 13 years old I went to California, and everything there was more expensive and it seemed like everything was more wealthier than other states I have been to. Like cars, houses, business buildings everything seemed more expensive there. Of course Cali has some very wealthy people, but it amazes me that this state is struggling.
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought that California would become a poverty stricken state. When you hear about it on T.V. people are always talking about the movie stars that live there or all the big cities. When you actually think about it though, California has a very large population and cities that are jam packed full of people. There aren't enough jobs for all the people that are there.
ReplyDeleteUsually when a person thinks of America, they think of California as being one of the greatest states this country has. You said it best, all the athletes, movie stars, all the big time stores and sports teams are out in California. I would've never expected this, but I do agree with the mayor of LA. A lot of immigrants are coming in, who are already in poverty, and are taking these low paying jobs, which is making the city look kind of bad. All in all, it's a problem that should probably be looked at.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely very insightful. Although there is poverty in California I think that is a much better option, than having more poverty in more northern states. There isn't the major concern that people will freeze to death or other tragic happenings like that. It doesn't make this in California any better, but better than in other places.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic Bennett. As I read this, I found it very shocking that California is a poverty stricken state. I had always assumed that due to all of the big cities and famous people that live there, that California was one of the wealthier states in our country, but I guess I was wrong. The poverty issues need to be addressed, and something needs to be done to raise employment rates. This could help spark the economy and reduce poverty in California.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting because I feel like a lot of people never would have guess that California had such high levels of poverty. It seems to be that someone might stereotype this state to believe they are rich because of Hollywood and all of the celebrities that located there. First they need to fix this problem before anything else, one possible way they could do this is raise the minimum wage. After all California has a very high population and many of the citizens have minimum-wage paying jobs. By increasing their pay could really help and get the state out of the rut that it seems to be in.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia as we know of it is living the dream, but by reading this I have seen California in a different perspective! Its not all cars, clothes, celebrities and the perfect dream, it is actually struggling. Of course we don’t see that in the movies or hear about it in music, we imagine it as only the wealthiest people but in reality it is just like every other place in the world there are good and not so good areas. A lot of people live in this warm state so I don’t find it that shocking because there may not be enough jobs.
ReplyDeleteThree of the four sentences in your first paragraph were fragments. Other than this your post was well written and you did a good job of taking an interesting topic and laying it out without bias so that it may be interpreted and understood by others.
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