The real (and ugly) face of poverty

The Jordan Times carried an editorial piece critical of the recently announced government plans to spend all of $8 million to root out poverty in the 16 most distressed areas. The JT was right to sound the alarm and call for a much broader and more meaningful plan to address the growing economic pains of a significant slice of Jordanian society.

Perhaps one of the first steps to deal with this problem is to use accurate and objective measures to define it. The government's definition of poverty is anybody making less than JD504 per year!!! This figure defies any logic given the accelerated rate of inflation experienced in Jordan over the last few years. Even with such an unrealistically low threshold, official statistics place 15% of the population under the poverty line. Clearly, the problem is much more extensive and serious.

For example, several news outlets reported on illegal Organ trading in Jordan. Alarab Alyawm reported police captured a group of people involved in kidney trading in the Ajloun area. By the way, Ajloun is one of those 16 areas targeted by the government for alleviating poverty. Meanwhile Al-Ghad ran a story on kidney harvesting in Egypt and its associated health risks and criminal activities.

Realistically, how much money per year should be considered below poverty line in Jordan? Keep in mind that regional variations are expected (i.e., Amman vs. rural areas).

Share your thoughts.

Happy Independence day Jordan

How does one start a blog?!

Having failed to come up with something remotely interesting or intelligent, I decided to emphasize this special day instead and celebrate its significance. So here are a few selected quotes that speak to this occasion.

Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better
-Albert Camus

Liberty is the right to choose. Freedom is the result of the right choice.
-Anonymous

Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom
-Albert Einstein quotes

Democracy means that if the doorbell rings in the early hours, it is likely to be the milkman.
-Winston Churchill

Freedom is never given; it is won
-A. Philip Randolph

If ever there was a holy war, it was that which saved our liberties and gave us independence
-Thomas Jefferson

That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves
-Thomas Jefferson

Information is the currency of democracy
-Thomas Jefferson