Is America an Affluent Society?

1. Yes, America is an Affluent society. The USA is one of the most intelligent and wealthy countries. We focus our priorities on imports and exports, and it has strengthened us greatly. "An affluent society that is also both compassionate and rational would, no doubt, secure to all who needed it the minimum income essential for decency and comfort." Welfare, health insurance, financial aid, and charities are all things that America provides to the unfortunate. The only way to stop poverty is to help the people. This starts with enforcing children to go to school, feeding them, creating ample housing, and keeping the streets clean. America has all of this. We have created an ample school curriculum, as well as attendance policies. Also, it is made aware that students live in clean environments and live a healthy lifestyle.  "These needs also be attacked  even more directly-- by giving the mobility that is associated with plentiful, good, and readily available housing... and by eliminating the special health handicaps that afflict the poor. " (Galbraith page 507)

Reich 

2. The government should always have jobs readily available to people who loose their job to the businesses financial downfall. however: people who got fired according to their own faults should find a job on their own. For example, here in Kentucky our coal industry is running out of places to mine. This is not the miners fault so they should be compensated with a job readily on hand when their job no longer stands. "Advanced economics like the United States will continue to generate stable numbers of new in-person service jobs, of course, the automation of older ones notwithstanding ... three new jobs open for aerobics instructors" (Reich page 523). Job opportunities  are always changing.