Government and Taxes: What role should they play poverty reduction?

One of the long-lasting issues that always surfaces in any situation involving poverty is the role of government in reducing poverty. At times discussing the issue feels more painful than a root canal: but it doesn't have to be.

Though the Poverty Reduction Initiative is not politically aligned and does not lobby government on behalf of these issues, we encourage healthy discussion and discourse on all the topics. In fact, our mission to reduce poverty in the most effective way possible as well as the most beneficial to an entire community whether it is through private or governmental means. In most cases, it becomes a combination of both.

The facts are that inequality in the United States has been growing rapidly in recent years, and though there exists no current data to represent the trend, it is likely that is only growing with the recent economic downturn that has cost so many of the working class their jobs.



So what should be the role of government in addressing poverty? Should the rich take on more tax burden to support the poor? Is it the private industries responsibility to support the communities?

What role should government play?