Answer to Question 1
An ideal response will:
1. Describe some of the ways the federal government helps low-income people, including the setting of a minimum wage, providing help for day care centers, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and others.
2. Discuss how the concept of rugged individualism has caused many Americans to think that people are poor by choice and that they would not be poor if they worked harder, but the fact is that many people who collect benefits from the government do work, but do not earn enough money to sufficiently support themselves and their families.
3. Identify that because of the recession of 2008, in which many Americans lost their jobs and homes, some of the stereotypes of the poor may change, since many former workers and homeowners found themselves in dire straits.
Answer to Question 2
An ideal response will:
1. Describe various programs that improve the quality of life for all citizens, such as environmental programs that improve air and water quality; programs to build roads, bridges, and parks; regulating air traffic and improving national security; fighting crime and terrorism; and strengthening schools.
2. Discuss how categorical programs can be seen as helping all citizens. Answers will vary, but students might note that these programs provide a social safety net for citizens in need and, given the right set of circumstances, all citizen could find themselves in need of help at some time; and they may identify the idea behind Lyndon Johnson's Great Society agenda that all of society benefits from improved education, the elimination of poverty, and so on.
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