The background reading on \"The Salt of the Earth\" has questions and issues to

Question

The background reading on "The Salt of the Earth" has questions and issues to think over and respond to. (And you are also free to explore other themes/issues you might see no matter which film you choose for your main post)

"A Place at the Table" not only advocates on behalf of the hungry, but advocates for specific policies that the filmmakers believe will help and against policies that they believe harm the hungry. The piece from the conservative Heritage Foundation questions if hunger and food insecurity in the US is even an issue for concern. Why would they seek to argue that food insecurity isn't a real issue? Because conservatives are opposed to large scale government programs. If hunger isn't that big a problem or if the problem results from too much government action then large government programs aren't called for. Some pure libertarians (who prize freedom over equality) would argue that even if the problem exists it should be up to individuals to decide whether or not to give to charities rather than to use tax monies without someone's consent for programs for the poor. And, of course, the film argues that charities are inadequate to address the problem. If you focus on this film for your main post you can compare/contrast these two perspectives. You won't be judged in any way whether you agree or disagree with the the documentary or the Heritage view (or somewhere in between). All films and readings are meant to stimulate deep thought and reflection. You are always graded on the quality of your reflections and arguments, not your political perspective.

Explanation / Answer

The action agenda of social policy on food insecurity because food charity is not enough:-

1. increase social assistance and minimum wages to levels that lift people above the poverty so they can buy food of their choice .

2. increase availability of rent-geared to income housing.

3. increase financial supplements for people living in private rental housing.

Food insecurity places a substantial burden on our society through health care and social cost. A wave of conservative ideology, both within and outside the government in conjunction with recent financial crisis has resulted in continual challenges to America's safety net programs including those that keep the elderly out of poverty. For example, nearly all of the proposals to address the modest long term-fiscal imbalance projected for social security would result in a cut in benefits.

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