In “Solutions to poverty, not posturing” (The Washington Times, January 11, 2016) Cal Thomas argues that our current solutions to combat poverty in America are not working and that we need to focus on empowering the poor rather than providing them with government aid. Thomas begins by mentioning the government's current failing attitude towards poverty, then compares the solution to the poverty problem with his solution and that of other conservatives, and finally explains why his solution can actually help the poor improve their lives. their situation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay By appealing to his ethics, Thomas adds credibility to the argument of empowering impoverished Americans to free them from the restrictions of poverty. Thomas makes these calls by citing House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina as advocates for the empowerment of the poor in opposition to government intervention. Thomas also explains how Jack Kemp, a respected conservative during the Reagan years, was very successful in helping the poor by giving them hope. Since these three political figures are highly respected by conservatives, who make up the majority of Thomas's audience, Thomas confirms the validity of his optimistic approach to poverty. Thomas uses metaphors to illustrate the effectiveness of enlightening the poor. Thomas says “the key to opening the prison door that keeps too many people locked in poverty is education.” Expressing poverty as a prison cell and education as a key, Thomas describes the enlightenment of the poor as a very practical solution to ending their poverty. Thomas also states that “it's time to take the wheels off poverty and help the poor pedal themselves.” Thomas's comparison between the poor and someone who rides a bicycle, and between public assistance and the spinning wheels on a bicycle, highlights how welfare and other forms of public intervention do nothing but hold the poor back, and that they must instead receive confidence so that they can truly succeed. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Poverty is a problem that affects every American, directly or indirectly. Portions of our government tax payments are used to support diverse Americans experiencing poverty. I don't see this practice as a way forward in our war on poverty, because government aid adds only temporary relief and provides no long-term benefit. If this process continues, the poor could be pushed even deeper into poverty, as they may become increasingly dependent on government assistance. Cal Thomas talks about empowerment as a way for the poor to escape poverty. While I see some benefit to this method, I do not believe it will benefit the majority of people in poverty, who need much more than just words of encouragement to alleviate their situation. Instead, I believe that increasing job opportunities and growing the economy on a national scale are the most practical ways to help the poor, just as these ways have helped the lower classes in the past..