Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: The Importance of Marriage
Presented by Will Blesch | Follow Will on Twitter @WillBlesch
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The Marriage Equation: Reducing Poverty for a Freer Society
by Will Blesch, The Liberty Signal
Pexels/Mukesh Mohanty
In our Sample Issue issue of The Liberty Signal, we stated that poverty, an issue affecting millions worldwide, significantly limits personal and societal freedom. We explored the connection between poverty and liberty by examining the concept of positive and negative liberty.
Poverty, an intricate combination of internal and external factors, restricts freedom in various ways. It’s a subject that should be on the minds of all who believe individual and societal freedoms are vital to the human race.
In fact, it’s a subject that has never been more important than today. According to the United States Census Bureau, 12.8% of the American population lives below the poverty line. In a population of over 332 million, that’s 42.4 million people living in poverty – in America alone.
Worldwide, Statista notes that “The most common type of poverty facing the world's 1.2 billion poor is a lack of access to clean cooking fuel. As of 2019-2021, one billion were forced to cook with solid fuels such as wood and coal.
The second most common type of poverty was a lack of access to proper housing, a problem that faced over 900 million poor people.”
Poverty restricts (or removes entirely) the freedom of those mired within it. In fact, the poorest among us are also the most vulnerable to the promises of an easier life in exchange for giving up even what little liberty these individuals might have left.
In other words, they’re easy prey – they’re low-hanging fruit – for those who promise bread from the heavens in return for votes.
Now, just to recap some of the ways poverty may harm one’s liberty, consider the following:
Financial stability: typically refers to having a steady income, minimal or manageable debt, savings, and the ability to meet financial obligations. When an individual lacks financial stability, he or she is left with:
Limited choices: Financial instability restricts an individual's ability to make choices in various aspects of life, such as housing, education, healthcare, and career. With limited resources, individuals often have to compromise on quality or make choices that are less than ideal for their well-being.
Employment dependency: When a person is financially unstable, they might feel forced to accept employment that is unsatisfying, exploitative, or even dangerous due to a lack of better options. This can result in limited personal freedom, as individuals may not have the flexibility to pursue their passions, interests, or personal growth.
Reduced mobility: Financial instability can make it difficult for individuals to relocate or travel, as these activities often require a substantial amount of money. This can result in a lack of freedom to explore new opportunities, environments, and experiences.
Debt and financial obligations: High levels of debt and financial obligations can create a burden that limits personal freedom. Individuals may need to allocate significant portions of their income to servicing debts, leaving little room for other pursuits or personal goals.
Stress and mental health: The stress and anxiety caused by financial instability can negatively impact mental health, which in turn may reduce an individual's ability to make decisions and engage in activities that contribute to personal freedom and fulfillment.
Social constraints: A lack of financial stability can lead to social isolation, as individuals might not have the resources to participate in social events or maintain relationships with friends and family. This can further restrict personal freedom, as social connections are essential for emotional well-being and personal growth.
Vulnerability to emergencies: When individuals lack financial stability, they are less prepared to deal with emergencies, such as unexpected health issues, accidents, or natural disasters. This vulnerability can further constrain personal freedom, as individuals may not have the means to recover or adapt to changing circumstances.
To combat poverty and promote liberty, we previously stated that a strong family unit plays a crucial role.
Stable families provide children with opportunities for growth and success, helping to reduce poverty. Focusing on marriage, responsible parenting, skill development, and job opportunities for young people can build resourceful families.
Interconnected families that support each other, instead of relying solely on government assistance, can create healthier societies.
Indeed, strengthening relationships within extended family units has allowed many legal immigrants to improve their financial status, showcasing the power of family in fighting poverty.
The Role of Government Policy in Promoting Healthy Marriages
Now let’s zero in on marriage. How does marriage help to fight poverty and therefore increase personal freedom and contribute to the stability of society?
Well, for starters, consider the fact that “Family structure is an important factor in reducing poverty. Children raised in single-parent families are nearly five times as likely to be poor as those in married-couple families.”
Part of the reason behind this comes down to basic math: typically, two parents have significantly more resources available to help raise their children compared to a single parent trying to raise kids on their own.
Isabel Sawhill from the Brookings Institution explains that creating successful social policies is a challenging task when families are becoming more divided and children are missing out on the support that comes from having both parents involved.
Of course, it’s more than that.
The main building block for the majority of Americans to create a steady and safe family life is still the commitment of marriage. Obviously, this doesn't apply to everyone. Being married doesn't instantly provide children with a stable and secure home that includes two devoted, loving, and supportive parents.
However, marriage does offer the most dependable way to achieve those important goals.
So what about marriage then?
In 2022, in America, 34% of people ages 15 and over had never been married, up from 23% in 1950.
While choosing marriage is an intensely personal choice, and waiting until later in life to get married and have children correlates with reduced poverty, there seems to be an increasing trend of foregoing marriage altogether.
Ironically, many people view being single as a life with more “freedom.” Although, if the single lifestyle (especially as a single parent) is contributing to a lack of financial stability – it’s also contributing to an objectively less free life.
Since a loving, committed marriage is a mitigating factor when it comes to poverty, promoting marriage is something liberty-minded people should do. Government policy can, and should, promote and incentivize healthy marriages as well.
However, all too often governments do the exact opposite.
For example, many state governments impose tax penalties on married couples:
In 15 states, there is a marriage penalty incorporated into specific income tax brackets. As of 2022, the affected states include:
California
Georgia
Maryland
Minnesota
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Vermont
Virginia
Wisconsin
Additionally, Washington state imposes a capital gains tax on earnings exceeding $250,000, regardless of whether an individual is filing as single or jointly.
In The Liberty Signal’s view, policy matters.
Marriage Tax Penalties negatively impact the finances of married couples regardless of income bracket – thus, certain state governments are actively contributing to the harm of an institution that helps mitigate poverty.
(Even if a couple’s income is above an arbitrary $250,000 per year, which supposedly makes these couple’s “rich,” these states are still penalizing marriage.) In essence, it can be argued that these state governments are promoting poverty by targeting married couples with tax penalties.
Note that all the states listed except for North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Carolina are blue or swing states.
We know these kinds of harmful policies are par for the course in blue states, but that leaves us asking – what is wrong with the elected representatives in those three red states?
And why aren’t the people in those states standing up for marriage? (And fighting against poverty by proxy?)
In Summary
The Liberty Signal's latest issue highlights the connection between poverty and liberty, emphasizing how poverty limits personal and societal freedom.
With 12.8% of Americans living below the poverty line, and various types of poverty affecting 1.2 billion people worldwide, the issue demands attention. Poverty reduces financial stability, limiting choices in areas like housing, education, and healthcare.
It also leads to employment dependency, reduced mobility, increased debt, stress, social isolation, and vulnerability to emergencies.
Strong family units and marriage can combat poverty and promote liberty. Children raised in single-parent families are almost five times more likely to be poor than those in married-couple families.
Marriage provides a stable and committed environment that supports children's well-being. However, an increasing number of people are foregoing marriage or delaying it until later in life.
Some state governments impose tax penalties on married couples, which can discourage marriage and inadvertently promote poverty.
The Liberty Signal urges reconsideration of such policies and emphasizes the importance of promoting healthy marriages to fight poverty and ensure a more free society.
Follow Will on Twitter: @WillBlesch
Discover Conservative America’s Number 1 Check: The TRB Black Check
Libertarian Commentary
The Libertarian and Conservative Case for the Abolition of Marriage Laws (Part 1) - by Peter S. Rieth, first published August 3, 2011
Amidst the ever louder public debate over the question of "gay marriage" or civil unions for same-sex couples, one view which seems to have gained little public exposure is the position in favor of abolishing all marriage laws everywhere and leaving the issue of marriage to be regulated by the private market place.
I propose to examine this view in detail, demonstrating along the way how this libertarian methodology of dealing with the problem of marriage policy would eventually lead to the realization of the conservative goals of strengthening family, faith and patriotism.
The Left and Marriage
American Liberals and members of the political Left would likely reject this position because the prime reason why they favor "gay marriage" or civil unions for same-sex couples is that they believe all people should have equal access to government regulation of personal and social life.
They would not put it quite this way, but it is essentially their position.
To abolish marriage laws would, in the liberal left's view, deprive all people of the "right" to file joint tax returns, or a number of other "rights" that the state has imagined for us over the years.
All of these imagined "rights" granted by the state are not, of course, natural rights, but rather positive rights akin to the New Deal's "Four Freedoms" – freedom from fear, want, and so forth and so on – invented rights that, politically, are fit for demagogues in a populist regime and that are intellectually groundless.
The political Left would never consider the viewpoint that many "rights" which they champion for homosexual couples – such as visitation rights – might be achieved in a free society via contracts between consenting adults.
Far better, the Left generally believes, to let "experts" in public administration regulate things for us – we mere plebians are left to simply fill out all the paper work.
There is, of course, another reason why the political left favors same-sex marriage or civil unions, and that is a more insidious reason.
Although they would never agree with the likes of conservatives like Harry Jaffa on the principle that since the law molds the customs and habits of citizens, thus the law must itself be molded by moral customs and habits; the left would concur that the law molds customs and habits.
It is the fervent desire of the social engineers of the political left to enhance their power and prestige by forming men into the type of citizens who need the state to control and command their daily lives.
There is, as every good conservative understands, no faster way to achieve this general dependency of citizens on the state than to undermine the one private social institution that we might call a fully functional voluntary polis – the family.
I have no doubt, from my observation of both the practice and theory of the political left over the years, that many of them hate the family and wish to "liberate" us from this old institution.
(to be continued…)
Read more at Lewrockwell.com
BUSINESS SECTION
Poverty is making us sick—and our politicians aren’t helping
By Tom Clark, Prospect Magazine, UK
How are you feeling? If you are reading this in the UK, that question is definitely worth pausing on.
New analysis this week reveals that more than five million of us are living with diabetes for the first time. That is just the latest in a line of frightening figures pointing to a sickening society.
Since the statistical fog of the pandemic started to clear, the official jobs numbers have stubbornly registered a huge growth in the group—currently an additional 400,000-plus people—who are “inactive” and not even searching for work because they are “long-term sick.”
The latest available data is suggestive of a drop in “healthy life expectancy” for men, and more especially in the expectation for “healthy disability-free” longevity for men and women alike.
Last month, the government actuary confirmed that the retirees of 2020 are now expected to die two years earlier than had been forecast just six years earlier. Looking further ahead, he relayed that the retirement millennials can look forward to in a few decades’ time is in parallel projected to be three years shorter.
Who Is Involved?
Dani Garavelli, a reporter
Henry Dimbleby, the government's food guru and co-author of the book Ravenous
Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Keir Starmer, Leader of the Opposition
Organizations:
Broke, a collection edited for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Financial Times
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Labour Party
Summary of News Story
New analysis shows that more than 5 million people in the UK are living with diabetes for the first time, which is the latest in a series of figures highlighting the decline in the nation's health.
Recent official statistics reveal a growth in the number of people who are "long-term sick" and not searching for employment, with a decrease in healthy life expectancy for both men and women.
The government actuary has confirmed that people retiring in 2020 are expected to die two years earlier than forecast six years ago. In addition, the lifespans of women in England's poorest areas are decreasing, while total deaths in England and Wales are up 8% on the five-year average.
Experts attribute the problem to the umbilical connection between deprivation, disease, and death. Obesity is one area of concern, with the author of "Ravenous," Henry Dimbleby, arguing that the issue is "weighted very strongly towards the poor."
Why It Matters
The story above matters to any freedom loving person in the West, and not only to residents and citizens of the UK because it emphasizes the critical importance of addressing societal and economic inequalities to improve public health outcomes.
While there may be differences in the preferred approach to tackling these challenges, the report underscores the need for a renewed focus on promoting individual responsibility, fiscal prudence, and an environment that fosters opportunity and social mobility.
For instance:
The news report sheds light on the concerning state of public health in the UK, with over five million people living with diabetes and a decrease in healthy life expectancy - which the author attributes to everything except the fact that the population of the UK was vaxxed to the max during the COVID pandemic.
(Of course, almost no mainstream report would venture to make a correlation there.)
That said, the report highlights the link between deprivation, disease, and death, and how it is strongly tied to social inequality.
The article discusses how stress, lack of access to healthy food, and financial constraints are some of the reasons behind unhealthy eating habits among the less privileged.
These issues exacerbate health disparities, putting additional pressure on an already strained healthcare system. While the problem is multifaceted, the central point of discussion is the need to address societal and economic inequality as the root cause of this public health crisis.
From a conservative, libertarian standpoint, this report matters for several reasons:
Fiscal responsibility: The healthcare burden of a society with such rampant health issues raises questions about fiscal responsibility. As the government spends more on treating preventable illnesses, resources are diverted from other areas of the economy, and the government may need to raise taxes or debt to meet the growing healthcare costs.
Individual responsibility: A core principle of conservatism and libertarianism is that individuals should take responsibility for their own lives. However, when a significant portion of society is unhealthy, it calls into question whether the current environment is conducive to promoting personal responsibility. This report raises concerns about the factors that may be preventing individuals from making healthy choices and living productive lives.
Limited government intervention: The report discusses potential solutions, such as regulatory tweaks and subsidized meals, but ultimately concludes that addressing the underlying societal and economic inequality is key. Both conservatives and libertarians would be cautious about government intervention in the food industry and would prefer market-driven solutions that promote competition and consumer choice.
Opportunity and social mobility: Conservatives and libertarians both value the principles of opportunity and social mobility. The health crisis highlighted in this report may limit people's opportunities and hinder social mobility due to increased healthcare costs and decreased productivity.
A Recession Could Be Coming: Make Money Or Lose Everything
Featured Freedom Document: Magna Carta
The Magna Carta, also known as the Great Charter, is a foundational document in the history of individual liberties and the rule of law. Signed in 1215 by King John of England, it aimed to address grievances of the English barons who were fed up with the king's arbitrary and tyrannical rule.
This seminal document consisted of 63 clauses, establishing several key principles that have shaped the development of democracy, constitutional law, and individual rights over the centuries.
Notable provisions include the protection of property rights, due process, and the requirement of fair trials.
Even today, the Magna Carta continues to serve as an inspiration for the fundamental principles of modern legal systems, upholding individual liberties, limiting governmental power, and advocating for the rule of law.
The drafting of the Magna Carta was a collaborative effort involving a group of prominent individuals from various backgrounds, including church officials, barons, and legal scholars.
Among these key figures were Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton, who played a significant role in drafting and mediating the negotiations, and several powerful barons, such as Robert Fitzwalter and Richard de Clare.
These men sought to challenge the king's abuse of power and establish a system that would provide greater protection to individual liberties and ensure a fairer administration of justice.
Through their efforts, the Magna Carta became a lasting symbol of liberty and an enduring testament to the importance of limiting the powers of the monarchy.
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JUDEO CHRISTIAN SECTION: Divine Insight
Proverbs 22:7 (NASB)
7 The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.
First and foremost, the verse underscores the importance of personal responsibility and financial freedom. A core tenet of libertarianism is the belief that individuals should have the autonomy to make their own decisions, free from excessive government intervention.
Being in debt can restrict an individual's freedom and their ability to pursue their own interests.
In this light, the verse can be seen as a cautionary message, warning people to avoid falling into the trap of debt, as it can lead to a loss of freedom and self-reliance.
This aligns with the conservative and libertarian value of self-sufficiency and the belief that individuals should strive to live within their means.
SAVE THE COUNTRY SECTION
(Actionable Tips Toward a More Free America)
As always, we're super excited to share some awesome tips with you in every issue of The Liberty Signal. Our goal is to give you quick and actionable steps you can start doing right now to make a real difference in your life.
This issue is all about tackling poverty and reclaiming your freedom, so we've put together another list of suggestions that will start immediately improving your financial situation. Are you ready? Let's dive in!
💰 Start Saving Money
Cutting costs is the first step in saving money, but it doesn't mean giving up everything you love.
To cut costs effectively, focus on things you don't really care about or don't use.
Before cutting costs, set savings goals and have a clear idea of why you're doing it and what your end goal will look like.
Track your spending to see where your money is going, categorize expenses, and identify areas where you can cut back.
The envelope system (cash or digital) is a helpful method for managing monthly expenses by putting cash into dedicated envelopes or separate bank accounts.
💰 Take 7 Baby Steps
Save $1,000 for your starter emergency fund.
Pay off all debt (except the house) using the debt snowball.
Save 3–6 months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund.
Invest 15% of your household income in retirement.
Save for your children’s college fund.
Pay off your home early.
Build wealth and give.
Now, go ahead and start making a difference in your life! 🚀
Final Word
Know likeminded people who want to learn, grow, and fight for principles of liberty? Recommend The Liberty Signal to them. They can sign up today — it’s free!
• Have a tip or story idea you want to share? An effective strategy or tactic for spreading the message of Liberty? Email us — I’d love to hear from you! (support@thelibertysignal.com)
• Have thoughts about this issue of The Liberty Signal? Write us and let us know. (support@thelibertysignal.com)
We look forward to seeing you again in the next issue.
Yours in Liberty,
Will Blesch, The Liberty Signal
