Government's Care

         The government offers many rewards to the lower class people. But what about the upper and middle class? People in the upper class are typically born into their status and have all the money they need (if they spend it wisely). The people in the middle class are more likely to slip into the lower class. This is because the middle class usually does not receive any help. College is another big factor for middle class people. Many students attending college work long hours or many jobs just to keep up with their bills on top of student loans. If the student’s parents have a great income, the student is pretty much screwed out of financial aid money. There are many other unexpected circumstances that could arise and leave the middle class and lower class without any money. “Across the political spectrum, almost all Americans support national policies, and much spending, that cushion citizens against the dangers that come with age, ill health, unemployment, or the death of a spouse” (Katznelson, pg. 319). With all of this in mind, the government has offered people Social Security. “Since the early 1970’s, Social Security payments, which are set nationally, have been indexed; that is, they increase in step with the previous year’s rate of inflation” (Katznelson, pg. 320). This help guarantee that people will have some money when they are no longer working.

            In my own experiences, I have always been in a middle class family until my step family came into the picture. We soon were on food stamps and getting government assistance because my family went from 3 people to 8. The idea of being on food stamps when I was younger made me feel bad because I did not understand where all of the money went. I now understand that raising a family takes a lot of money from working in daycare. After most of us left that household, I am sure that they are no longer on food stamps or any government assistance. Being in the lower class was not uncommon for the families of the kids I went to school with. This then made me learn that food stamps and any government assistance are not a negative thing. “Many Americans believe that government’s efforts to alleviate poverty to relieve the poor of responsibility for their own situations; this belief is so strong that the very word welfare, despite its positive dictionary meaning as something that promotes well-being, often is used as a negative term” (Katznelson, pg. 320). Although being poor is not a very proud thing to admit, it is more common these days to not be as upset or negative about it because we know the government offers help. This could be bad, because what will happen if or when the government runs out of money?

Katznelson, Ira, Kesselman, Mark, Draper, Alex. (2011). The Politics of Power, Capitalism and Democracy. pgs 319 & 320. Norton & Company, New York.

Personal experiences in middle/lower class