Well, I do agree with your comment that we shouldn't look to the government to solve poverty. However, you made a slight mistake and I don't agree with you on the tax credation.
First off all, companies do get tax credit for donations given to charities. That is already in place. I do not agree with your idea that tax credit should be given for employee wages and such. That's a bit ridiculous if you ask me. Other incentives may be a bit more realistic, however.
I feel that the war on poverty problem should lie more on individuals rather than companies. People need to make the difference... we should not rely on the government or corporations to do things for us.

I do not agree with your idea that tax credit should be given for employee wages and such. That's a bit ridiculous if you ask me.

How is it ridiculous, with all due respect? It will encourage the employer to pay the employee higher wages and hire more employees. These employees will then have income to contribute to the tax base. As it stands, by taxing the dollar at every level as we do, we create a complicated tax structure with disincentives to hiring. As to the benefits, by encouraging employers to provide them, we remove the need of employees to go elsewhere for their medical insurance (read, usually government programs or the ER), and encourage them not to wait until their medical concerns are advanced, which usually requires a higher cost of treatment, and thus relieve a HUGE burden on the taxpayers. By reducing the tax liability, it only makes sense to pass the savings onto the corporation.

First off all, companies do get tax credit for donations given to charities

No, they don't get a dollar for dollar tax credit. They get a tax DEDUCTION (big difference, ask any accountant) and it's only within certain percentages.

I feel that the war on poverty problem should lie more on individuals rather than companies. People need to make the difference... we should not rely on the government or corporations to do things for us.

Yes, people do make the difference, and I am not diminishing their role. But corporations have the ability to hire and to provide good benefits. I don't believe in forcing corporations to do these things, I believe in encouraging corporations to be good community partners. When speaking about people, I have found a common denominator. Those who are the least financially stable are usually the most inclined to assist others. There are many notable exceptions to this, but the fact is, the majority of people firmly committed to resolving the problems of poverty in America are not wealthy, and often spend a good deal of their time lobbying wealthy individuals and corporations to assist them. The issue of poverty is actually quite complex, and there are a good number of poor that, through different life decisions, could be in a much better state. However, the facts remain that, even for those people, we need to learn how to teach them how to succeed rather than kicking them when they're down.

I agree that there is no single, simple approach! I think there should be a healthy mixture of all, including government. At localfood pantries, they rely on donations and government grants. Unfortunately, the grants have been cut so much and the lines are very long. I think in order for anything at all to change, the first thing would have to be people's perception of the poor. And people's denial that there is legitimate need.

Good article.

I think in order for anything at all to change, the first thing would have to be people's perception of the poor. And people's denial that there is legitimate need.

Exactly. We've been fed so much false information for years that we need to begin to see the real face of poverty to make a difference.

How many intelligent people have you met who are in poverty? Every poor person I have ever come across is deficient intellectually and usually emotionally.
Poverty and IQ have a direct correlation. Yes, there are those who are poor because of unfortunate circumstances, but they are a small minority. A dollar for dollar
tax credit? Government should pay 100% of every company's payroll? Liberal rubbish! To do that would require a HUGE increase in tax revenue, so in essence you
are suggesting tax increases for the middle class. Like I, who sacrificed quite a bit to get through college wants to pay more to help out joe sixpack who scoffed and
ridiculed the idea of higher education as an affront to being a real man, or incredulously, trying to be white.
Lets stop romanticizing about helping the poor. They made their bed, now let them sleep in it. Most of the poor are poor because
1. they have destructive and self-defeating beliefs; 2. Lack of education and usually no desire for a formal education; 3. often have an acute deficiency
in their skill set and level of common sense.
I work in the office of a factory of a 60 million dollar manufacturer. I know who the poor are. I see them everyday and talk to them everyday. Most are well meaning
individuals deserving of as much respect as anyone else, however, their IQ is for the most part substandard, they have no clue about local or world events or how it affects them
and none have ever shown a desire to improve their lot by improving their skill set, either by going to school or so much as picking up a damn book to help themselves out.
Pity the poor? my ass.

I believe the cure for poverty is very simple. We have two political classes here in the US; conservatives and liberals. Conservatives believe in personal responsibility
while liberals believe everyone should enjoy the good life without working for it. So my solution is this, have everyone go to the polls and vote whether they
are liberal or conservative, Then pass a law requiring that all those that voted liberal incur an 80% tax on income, and conservatives a flat rate of 15%. Take away all
wealth in excess of 15,000 USD from all liberals and give it to the poor. Replace all the liberal voters' children who are in college with the wretched poor and continue
to send the bill to those liberals. Make a law stipulating an additional tax of 100% on all entertainment and food purchases will, in fact, all purchases made by liberals.
This is the best plan that will ever be suggested, the poor are no more, and all you stupid, ignorant, NAIVE!, clueless, US-bashing-so-move-to-Saudi-Arabia, fag loving,
God hating, fucking shit-for-brain imbeciles, or for the sake of brevity, liberals can go feel all warm and fuzzy about yourselves, I sacrifice alot to move ahead, so fuck you
lazy motherfucking dumbasses who can't and don't want to work to get ahead, and fuck all you liberals. Get the fuck out of the US, their are millions worldwide who want to
come here because they know they can make it becuase they are not afraid of hard work. Certainly not the Latinos, whose second generation will be better off than there parents,
thanks to their hard work, or the Koreans, who live in their corner store to better the lives of their children, or the Indians who save every penny so they can open a 7-11, or the
untold millions toiling away right now. They don't want your fucking handouts and they rightfully do not feel they should have to pay for some poor lazy fucktards way through
life. IF YOU WANT TO AVOID POVERTY, EDUCATE YOURSELF AND WORK YOUR TAIL OFF!!!!!!!!! As for your unbelievably clueless liberals, get the fuck out of this country.
YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO BE HERE, MOVE TO CANADA, GO TO EUROPE FOR GODS SAKE, YOUR SPOT HERE WILL BE FILLED BEFORE YOU EVEN FINISH PACKING
YOUR SUITCASE. stupid fucking whiny ass liberals. stupid stupid stupid. go to hell.

Hey Cure . . . why don't you register so I can troll ya?