Chapter 30 QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION 1. What's the difference between the distribution of income and the distribution of wealth? Describe the distribution of income and the distribution of wealth in the United States. 2. Discuss the basic determinants of income distribution. 3. Who are the poor in the United States? A few population groups have very high incidences of poverty. Explain why people in each of these groups tend to be poor. 4. There are several theories of the causes of poverty. Why can't a single theory explain all the poverty in the United States? 5. Compare and contrast the conservative and liberal views of poverty. 6. What has happened to the welfare rolls since the mid-1990s? What are the causes of this trend? 7. Practical Application: What steps would you take to cut our poverty rate in hall? 8. Practical Application: How many dollars and cents per hour would a person working a 40-hour week need to work to keep a family of four at the poverty line? (Hint: First find the amount of money the family would need per week to stay at the poverty line.) 9. Web Activity: Are you eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit? Find out at www.bankrate.com/calculators/tax-planning/earned-income-ta x-credit-calculator.aspx. 10. Web Activity: Do you want to be a billionaire? Aside from inheriting money, in which three industries or economic sectors have our 100 richest billionaires made their fortunes? Go to www.forbes.com/richlist