GirlTalk

Dan Hamilton, director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, has published an article (found on the Web site of The Washington Post - see link below story) reporting the results of a new study released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, based in Paris. The study finds the gap between rich and poor increasing in Europe in North America.

This is one of those articles you read and think, “is this really NEW?“ It provides, however, the stastical evidence of proof ... and it’s staggering.

According to the article, “The U.S. has the greatest inequality in the OECD after Mexico and Turkey—and the gap has grown rapidly since 2000. The richest 10 percent of Americans earn an average of $93,000 (highest in the OECD) - whereas the poorest 10 percent of Americans earn an average of $5,800 (about 20 percent lower than the OECD average).“

Think about this. I mean really, really think about it. And here was are, supposed to be the greatest nation in the world. I, for one, can’t comprehend how our leaders have allowed this to happen and why nothing is being done about it.

I believe one answer to this problem is education. Everyone knows schools in poor areas (the inner cities and rural areas) are vastly different than ones in wealthier area. I think the disparity begins there and is one huge direct cause of the income gap (I would be very interested in a study done on the education gap and then another showing the link between the two). The education issue, I’m afraid, is such an enormous one it begs it’s own blog entry.

For now, I’d love for everyone to read through the study and draw their own conclusions about the results and what they mean for the future of America - and possibly what can be done about it today.

Rich-Poor Gap Widens in Europe, North America