1. INCOME REDISTRIBUTION PROBABLY MOST CONTROVERSIAL OF GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS TRANSFERRING INCOME AND RESOURCES FROM SOME HOUSEHOLDS TO OTHER HOUSEHOLDS INVOLVES MANY PROGRAMS – TOTALLING OVER $1.5 TRILLION ANNUALLY

2. THE DEBATE SUPPORTERS: SAY POVERTY IS STILL SIGNIFICANT, AT BETWEEN 15% AND 20% ALSO SAY INCOME INEQUALITY HAS INCREASED DETRACTORS SAY PROGRAMS REDUCE “SELF SUFFICIENCY” AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE

3. MEAN INCOME TRENDS OF U.S. HOUSEHOLDS DIVIDED INTO “FIFTHS” BY INCOME (2009 $)

4. FAMILY NET WORTH BY PERCENTILE OF INCOME 2007 $000’S

5. Percentage of Households in Income Ranges, 2009 $

6. RATIO OF MEDIAN BACHELOR’S DEGREE ANNUAL SALARY TO MEDIAN HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE ANNUAL SALARY

7. HOW MEASURE POVERTY? ABSOLUTE POVERTY RELATIVE POVERTY INCOME VERSUS CONSUMPTION

8. HOW INCOME IS REDISTRIBUTED CASH TANF: TEMPORARY AID TO NEEDY FAMILIES EITC: EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT NON-CASH (“IN-KIND”) FOOD STAMPS, NUTRITION PROGRAMS, MEDICAID IS ISSUE LACK OF MONEY, OR SOMETHING ELSE?

9. ISSUES WITH INCOME REDISTRIBUTION 1. PHASING OUT HELP AS INCOME RISES – EFFECTIVE “MARGINAL TAX RATES” CAN BE HIGH 2.TAXES ON THOSE PROVIDING HELP: DISINCENTIVES TO WORK? 3.DOES GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE “CROWD OUT” PRIVATE CHARITIES?