War on poverty in 2011?

Anonymous
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http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/19/opinion/zelizer-war-on-poverty/index.html
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words only definitions & notes
  1. poverty
    the state of having little or no money and possessions
    Princeton, New Jersey (CNN) -- America's poverty rate is now the worst since 1993, according to a shocking report last week from the U.S.
  2. statistic
    a datum that can be represented numerically
    Yet with the U.S. poverty rate being the highest in the developed world according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, this statistic marks a terrible failure for the nation as a whole.
  3. enormity
    the quality of extreme wickedness
    Despite the enormity of this social problem, American politicians in either party rarely discuss the subject.
  4. incentive
    a positive motivational influence
    Through this program we offer new incentives and new opportunities for cooperation, so that all the energy of our nation, not merely the efforts of government, can be brought to bear on our common enemy."
  5. assess
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
    He is the author of "Jimmy Carter" (Times Books) and editor of a book assessing former President George W. Bush's administration, published by Princeton University Press.
  6. decade
    a period of 10 years
    The recession has compounded decades of growing economic inequality, structural poverty, and urban decay.
  7. blighted
    affected by something that prevents growth or prosperity
    Proposals such as public jobs, education reform, and tax incentives to rebuild blighted areas must be discussed.
  8. integral
    existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
    Many programs, such as Head Start, became popular across the nation and perceived as integral to the well being of struggling Americans.
  9. constituency
    the body of voters who elect a representative for their area
    Landrum, and other conservatives in the party, had constituencies who struggled with economic hardship.
  10. obsession
    an unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something
    There must also be strong consideration given to protecting -- and even expanding --state and local services for the poor despite the current obsession with budget cuts.
  11. accord
    concurrence of opinion
    Princeton, New Jersey (CNN) -- America's poverty rate is now the worst since 1993, according to a shocking report last week from the U.S.
  12. welfare
    something that aids or promotes well-being
    For decades, conservatives have railed against welfare programs for creating a cycle of dependency.
  13. cooperation
    the practice of working together on a common enterprise
    Yet with the U.S. poverty rate being the highest in the developed world according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, this statistic marks a terrible failure for the nation as a whole.
  14. compounded
    combined into or constituting a chemical compound
    The recession has compounded decades of growing economic inequality, structural poverty, and urban decay.
  15. initiative
    readiness to embark on bold new ventures
    When Johnson heard about the program shortly after taking office, he said it was the kind of initiative he could support.
  16. projection
    the act of expelling or ejecting
    With the projections that unemployment will remain high for several years, these numbers are not likely to improve.
  17. blight
    any plant disease resulting in withering without rotting
    Proposals such as public jobs, education reform, and tax incentives to rebuild blighted areas must be discussed.
  18. structural
    relating to the composition of something
    The recession has compounded decades of growing economic inequality, structural poverty, and urban decay.
  19. urban
    relating to a city or densely populated area
    The recession has compounded decades of growing economic inequality, structural poverty, and urban decay.
  20. tackle
    seize and throw down an opponent player carrying the ball
    Democrats avoid tackling the problem because they fear the political consequences of being tagged as big government liberals.
  21. confront
    oppose, as in hostility or a competition
    Candidates running for office in 2012 should be forced to confront this issue and explain what they intend to do about it.
  22. conquer
    take possession of by force, as after an invasion
    Were this so, we would have conquered poverty long ago.
  23. federal
    of a government with central and regional authorities
    Making matters worse, as Ron Haskings at the Brookings Institution noted, "Safety net programs run by the federal and state governments are helping millions of families avoid poverty, but thee programs could be subject to cuts at the federal and state level because of continuing deficit and debt problems."
  24. eliminate
    end, take out, or do away with
    Indeed, AFDC, a product of the New Deal commonly known as welfare, became the focus of conservatives who called for eliminating the program and younger Democrats who felt it needed to be reformed.
  25. oppose
    be against
    To build a legislative coalition in favor of the War on Poverty in 1964, Johnson enlisted the support of liberals in Congress as well as the conservative Democrat Phil Landrum of Georgia, who won over the votes of many in the party who usually opposed new federal programs.
  26. agenda
    a list of matters to be taken up, as at a meeting
    In 1996, when President Clinton signed the welfare reform act that ended Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), he effectively took poverty off his party's agenda.
  27. commentary
    a written explanation or criticism or illustration
    The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Julian E. Zelizer
  28. haunt
    follow stealthily or pursue like a ghost
    Those who support government programs for the poor have been haunted by the political backlash against the War on Poverty.
  29. plight
    a situation from which extrication is difficult
    Johnson, who had been inspired by the New Deal and grew up amid poverty in Texas, sympathized with the plight of the poor and believed that the government could and should so something about it: "That's my kind of program.
  30. unprecedented
    novel; having no earlier occurrence
    It was during the 1960s, an era of unprecedented economic growth, that President Lyndon Johnson and allied Democrats decided to tackle the problem of poverty in this wealthy nation.
  31. focus
    the concentration of attention or energy on something
    Indeed, AFDC, a product of the New Deal commonly known as welfare, became the focus of conservatives who called for eliminating the program and younger Democrats who felt it needed to be reformed.
  32. economic
    of or relating to production and management of wealth
    The recession has compounded decades of growing economic inequality, structural poverty, and urban decay.
  33. nation
    a politically organized body of people under a government
    Yet with the U.S. poverty rate being the highest in the developed world according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, this statistic marks a terrible failure for the nation as a whole.
  34. reduce
    make smaller
    Republicans and conservative Democrats ultimately believe that the only way to reduce poverty is to grow the economy.
  35. cycle
    a periodically repeated sequence of events
    For decades, conservatives have railed against welfare programs for creating a cycle of dependency.
  36. crucial
    of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis
    The new data from the Census Bureau, comes at a crucial time, with government programs on the chopping block as Washington focuses on cutting the budget deficit.
  37. elect
    choose by a vote for an office or membership
    Even as the policies were making great strides, Republicans attacked the War on Poverty as a waste of federal money that only helped elected officials.
  38. participation
    the act of sharing in the activities of a group
    We need their help, their support, and their full participation.
  39. inspire
    serve as the inciting cause of
    Johnson, who had been inspired by the New Deal and grew up amid poverty in Texas, sympathized with the plight of the poor and believed that the government could and should so something about it: "That's my kind of program.
  40. reject
    refuse to accept or acknowledge
    Most Republicans have tended to avoid the question of poverty because they reject the notion that government can do anything to solve it.
  41. expand
    extend in one or more directions
    There must also be strong consideration given to protecting -- and even expanding --state and local services for the poor despite the current obsession with budget cuts.
  42. institution
    a custom that has been an important feature of some group
    Making matters worse, as Ron Haskings at the Brookings Institution noted, "Safety net programs run by the federal and state governments are helping millions of families avoid poverty, but thee programs could be subject to cuts at the federal and state level because of continuing deficit and debt problems."
  43. publish
    prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
    He is the author of "Jimmy Carter" (Times Books) and editor of a book assessing former President George W. Bush's administration, published by Princeton University Press.
  44. contribute
    give, provide, or supply something
    Since the poor don't tend to vote in high rates or contribute much in campaign funds, they don't get a place at the table in Washington, D.C.
  45. era
    a period marked by distinctive character
    It was during the 1960s, an era of unprecedented economic growth, that President Lyndon Johnson and allied Democrats decided to tackle the problem of poverty in this wealthy nation.
  46. compound
    a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
    The recession has compounded decades of growing economic inequality, structural poverty, and urban decay.
  47. budget
    a summary of intended expenditures
    The new data from the Census Bureau, comes at a crucial time, with government programs on the chopping block as Washington focuses on cutting the budget deficit.
  48. recession
    the act of returning control
    The recession has compounded decades of growing economic inequality, structural poverty, and urban decay.
  49. liberal
    showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
    Democrats avoid tackling the problem because they fear the political consequences of being tagged as big government liberals.
  50. issue
    some situation or event that is thought about
    Very few presidential candidates ever bring up the issue.
  51. decay
    the organic phenomenon of rotting
    The recession has compounded decades of growing economic inequality, structural poverty, and urban decay.
  52. solely
    without any others being included or involved
    The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Julian E. Zelizer
  53. support
    the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening
    Those who support government programs for the poor have been haunted by the political backlash against the War on Poverty.
  54. notable
    worthy of attention or interest
    The War on Poverty claimed some notable accomplishments.
  55. rate
    a quantity considered as a proportion of another quantity
    Princeton, New Jersey (CNN) -- America's poverty rate is now the worst since 1993, according to a shocking report last week from the U.S.
  56. transfer
    move from one place to another
    According to the historian Michael Katz, "Between 1965 and 1972, the government transfer programs lifted about half the poor over the poverty line."
  57. coalition
    the union of diverse things into one body or form or group
    To build a legislative coalition in favor of the War on Poverty in 1964, Johnson enlisted the support of liberals in Congress as well as the conservative Democrat Phil Landrum of Georgia, who won over the votes of many in the party who usually opposed new federal programs.
  58. engage
    consume all of one's attention or time
    For decades American labor and American business, private institutions and private individuals have been engaged in strengthening our economy and offering new opportunity to those in need.
  59. editor
    the person who determines the final content of a text
    Editor's note: Julian E. Zelizer is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University.
  60. legislative
    relating to a lawmaking assembly
    To build a legislative coalition in favor of the War on Poverty in 1964, Johnson enlisted the support of liberals in Congress as well as the conservative Democrat Phil Landrum of Georgia, who won over the votes of many in the party who usually opposed new federal programs.
  61. rail
    a horizontal bar, usually of wood or metal
    For decades, conservatives have railed against welfare programs for creating a cycle of dependency.
  62. ultimately
    as the end result of a succession or process
    Republicans and conservative Democrats ultimately believe that the only way to reduce poverty is to grow the economy.
  63. despite
    contemptuous disregard
    Despite the enormity of this social problem, American politicians in either party rarely discuss the subject.
  64. intend
    have in mind as a purpose
    Candidates running for office in 2012 should be forced to confront this issue and explain what they intend to do about it.
  65. wealthy
    having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
    It was during the 1960s, an era of unprecedented economic growth, that President Lyndon Johnson and allied Democrats decided to tackle the problem of poverty in this wealthy nation.
  66. struggle
    strenuous effort
    Landrum, and other conservatives in the party, had constituencies who struggled with economic hardship.
  67. medium
    the surrounding environment
    Unless voters and the media help to make this an issue in the campaign, the problem will likely only become worse.
  68. grim
    harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
    The outlook is grim.
  69. develop
    progress or evolve through a process of natural growth
    Yet with the U.S. poverty rate being the highest in the developed world according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, this statistic marks a terrible failure for the nation as a whole.
  70. economy
    the system of production and distribution and consumption
    Republicans and conservative Democrats ultimately believe that the only way to reduce poverty is to grow the economy.
  71. campaign
    related operations aimed at achieving a particular goal
    Since the poor don't tend to vote in high rates or contribute much in campaign funds, they don't get a place at the table in Washington, D.C.
  72. champion
    someone who has won first place in a competition
    There have been a few in each party, such as John Edwards for the Democrats and Rick Santorum for the Republicans, but in general this is the cause that has no champion.
  73. perceive
    become aware of through the senses
    Many programs, such as Head Start, became popular across the nation and perceived as integral to the well being of struggling Americans.
  74. level
    a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
    Making matters worse, as Ron Haskings at the Brookings Institution noted, "Safety net programs run by the federal and state governments are helping millions of families avoid poverty, but thee programs could be subject to cuts at the federal and state level because of continuing deficit and debt problems."
  75. wing
    a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
    Many Democratic urban machine politicians lambasted the Community Action Program—a part of the war on poverty that put money into the hands of local organizations to shape anti-poverty initiatives--because they felt the dollars were winding up in the hands of left-wing organizations who then opposed them.
  76. represent
    be a delegate or spokesperson for
    Many groups representing the poor felt the War on Poverty did not go far enough.
  77. action
    something done (usually as opposed to something said)
    President Kennedy had started to explore an anti-poverty program in 1963 under the guidance of Walter Heller, the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, but Kennedy was assassinated before he could take action.
  78. local
    of or belonging to or characteristic of a particular area
    Many Democratic urban machine politicians lambasted the Community Action Program—a part of the war on poverty that put money into the hands of local organizations to shape anti-poverty initiatives--because they felt the dollars were winding up in the hands of left-wing organizations who then opposed them.
  79. funds
    assets in the form of money
    Since the poor don't tend to vote in high rates or contribute much in campaign funds, they don't get a place at the table in Washington, D.C.
  80. fund
    a reserve of money set aside for some purpose
    Since the poor don't tend to vote in high rates or contribute much in campaign funds, they don't get a place at the table in Washington, D.C.
  81. notion
    a general inclusive concept
    Most Republicans have tended to avoid the question of poverty because they reject the notion that government can do anything to solve it.
  82. opportunity
    a possibility from a favorable combination of circumstances
    For decades American labor and American business, private institutions and private individuals have been engaged in strengthening our economy and offering new opportunity to those in need.
  83. perceived
    detected by instinct or inference
    Many programs, such as Head Start, became popular across the nation and perceived as integral to the well being of struggling Americans.
  84. net
    an open fabric of string or rope or wire woven together
    Making matters worse, as Ron Haskings at the Brookings Institution noted, "Safety net programs run by the federal and state governments are helping millions of families avoid poverty, but thee programs could be subject to cuts at the federal and state level because of continuing deficit and debt problems."
  85. create
    bring into existence
    For decades, conservatives have railed against welfare programs for creating a cycle of dependency.
  86. data
    a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn
    The new data from the Census Bureau, comes at a crucial time, with government programs on the chopping block as Washington focuses on cutting the budget deficit.
  87. attack
    an offensive against an enemy
    It cannot be driven from the land by a single attack on a single front.
  88. protect
    shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
    There must also be strong consideration given to protecting -- and even expanding --state and local services for the poor despite the current obsession with budget cuts.
  89. shape
    a perceptual structure
    Many Democratic urban machine politicians lambasted the Community Action Program—a part of the war on poverty that put money into the hands of local organizations to shape anti-poverty initiatives--because they felt the dollars were winding up in the hands of left-wing organizations who then opposed them.
  90. simple
    having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
    In his address to Congress in March 1964, Johnson said: "What you are being asked to consider is not a simple or an easy program.
  91. labor
    any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
    For decades American labor and American business, private institutions and private individuals have been engaged in strengthening our economy and offering new opportunity to those in need.
  92. energy
    forceful exertion
    Through this program we offer new incentives and new opportunities for cooperation, so that all the energy of our nation, not merely the efforts of government, can be brought to bear on our common enemy."
  93. machine
    a mechanical or electrical device that transmits energy
    Many Democratic urban machine politicians lambasted the Community Action Program—a part of the war on poverty that put money into the hands of local organizations to shape anti-poverty initiatives--because they felt the dollars were winding up in the hands of left-wing organizations who then opposed them.
  94. job
    a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty
    Proposals such as public jobs, education reform, and tax incentives to rebuild blighted areas must be discussed.
  95. consequence
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
    Democrats avoid tackling the problem because they fear the political consequences of being tagged as big government liberals.
  96. area
    the extent of a two-dimensional surface within a boundary
    Proposals such as public jobs, education reform, and tax incentives to rebuild blighted areas must be discussed.
  97. office
    place of business where professional duties are performed
    When Johnson heard about the program shortly after taking office, he said it was the kind of initiative he could support.
  98. community
    a group of people living in a particular local area
    Many Democratic urban machine politicians lambasted the Community Action Program—a part of the war on poverty that put money into the hands of local organizations to shape anti-poverty initiatives--because they felt the dollars were winding up in the hands of left-wing organizations who then opposed them.
  99. administration
    the act of governing or exercising authority
    He is the author of "Jimmy Carter" (Times Books) and editor of a book assessing former President George W. Bush's administration, published by Princeton University Press.
  100. current
    occurring in or belonging to the present time
    There must also be strong consideration given to protecting -- and even expanding --state and local services for the poor despite the current obsession with budget cuts.
  101. address
    the place where a person or organization can be found
    In his address to Congress in March 1964, Johnson said: "What you are being asked to consider is not a simple or an easy program.
  102. individual
    being or characteristic of a single thing or person
    For decades American labor and American business, private institutions and private individuals have been engaged in strengthening our economy and offering new opportunity to those in need.
  103. consider
    think about carefully; weigh
    In his address to Congress in March 1964, Johnson said: "What you are being asked to consider is not a simple or an easy program.
  104. aid
    the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need
    In 1996, when President Clinton signed the welfare reform act that ended Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), he effectively took poverty off his party's agenda.
  105. council
    a body serving in an administrative capacity
    President Kennedy had started to explore an anti-poverty program in 1963 under the guidance of Walter Heller, the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, but Kennedy was assassinated before he could take action.
  106. published
    prepared and printed for distribution and sale
    He is the author of "Jimmy Carter" (Times Books) and editor of a book assessing former President George W. Bush's administration, published by Princeton University Press.
  107. attempt
    make an effort
    For decades afterward, attempts to reduce levels of poverty through government action were unpopular.
  108. policy
    a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group
    Even as the policies were making great strides, Republicans attacked the War on Poverty as a waste of federal money that only helped elected officials.
  109. author
    a person who writes professionally
    He is the author of "Jimmy Carter" (Times Books) and editor of a book assessing former President George W. Bush's administration, published by Princeton University Press.
  110. percent
    a proportion in relation to a whole
    Over 46 million people are living in poverty, 2.6 million more than in 2009 and the poverty rate has reached 15.1 percent.
  111. remain
    continue in a place, position, or situation
    With the projections that unemployment will remain high for several years, these numbers are not likely to improve.
  112. wind
    air moving from high pressure to low pressure
    Many Democratic urban machine politicians lambasted the Community Action Program—a part of the war on poverty that put money into the hands of local organizations to shape anti-poverty initiatives--because they felt the dollars were winding up in the hands of left-wing organizations who then opposed them.
  113. attention
    the act of concentrating on something
    Reforming welfare gained more attention than the problem the program was originally meant to solve.
  114. former
    the first of two or the first mentioned of two
    He is the author of "Jimmy Carter" (Times Books) and editor of a book assessing former President George W. Bush's administration, published by Princeton University Press.
Created on Fri Sep 23 14:34:19 EDT 2011 (updated Fri Sep 23 14:35:22 EDT 2011)

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