The growing income inequality in America can no longer be neglected because it affects millions of people of different races and classes. According to Smiley and West, American poverty is not a community or color-coded challenge but a societal crisis when about 150 million people are in or near poverty (Free Speech TV, 2012). Due to their generosity and beliefs in globalization benefits, Americans help other nations and miss the point when they get into the economic trend of widening the gap between rich and poor. In addition, employment ratings and wages continue declining, stagnation is growing, and the prospects of middle-class children are limited. This growing poverty problem changes my life because now the environment matters more than family background or personal skills. Instead of meeting my needs and interests, I have to examine a place and decide if it could promote my growth with time.
The marketization of society is a well-known concept in modern America, and some people are eager to pay additionally to get better services or new opportunities. In his discussion, Sandel (2013) underlines that the more things money can buy, the more negative influences become evident in such spheres as entertainment, education, and business. However, the number of values challenged by marketization is impressive, and one of the examples is in the healthcare sector. In many countries, including the United States, people have to sign agreements with insurance companies to get critical care and medical help. Some individuals do not think about health coverage until they get sick and need treatment. They pay for services without thinking that this step reduces others’ opportunities to obtain urgent counseling. People stop believing in equal health care, unbiased doctors, and free services, challenging their personal and social values.
References
Free Speech TV. (2012). The rich and the rest of us [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Sandel, M. (2013). Why we shouldn’t trust markets with our civic life [Video]. TED. Web.