USA Stuff Flashcards
The USA is a world power financially because…
It’s GDP is $15.94 trillion, over 20% of the world TOTAL (GWP).
The USA is a world power because of it’s military threat. Every year it spends…
$711 billion on it’s military.
What is the population of the USA?
roughly 318 million
USA population by ethnicity.
Whites -
Blacks -
APIs -
Hispanics -
Natives -
66%
12%
4%
15%
1%
How many immigrants are there in the USA?
40 million
12 million or more are illegal
Percentage of poverty by ethnic group in 2010:
Blacks -
Hispanics -
Asians -
Whites -
25%
23%
12%
9%
Unemployment percentage by ethnic group:
Whites -
Blacks -
Hispanics -
Asians -
4%
9%
6%
3%
Most crimes are committed in inner city ghettos (eg. the Bronx, NY) which are dominated by blacks and hispanics.
4 reasons why blacks and hispanics are more likely to be involved in crime:
- high unemployment
- poverty
- family breakdown - 80% of black families are single parent
- discrimination / racism
Government response to crime:
they tried to tighten legislation on gun ownership:
- background checks on all gun purchases
- new and stronger ban on assault weapons
2010 percentage of ethnic groups uninsured for health care:
Blacks -
APIs -
Hispanics -
Whites -
22%
18%
33%
13%
3 reasons ethnic minorities are less likely to have health insurance:
- They do not qualify for government funded health care
- Their employer does not cover it
- They cannot afford it due to low income
What is Medicare?
A government reponse to health incsurance inequalities. It is government funded healthcare for the elderly.
What is Medicaid?
A government reponse to health incsurance inequalities. To qualify for this government funded health insurance you must be on a low income (very low). Children up to 16 are always covered by this.
Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA)
4 ways it tried to tackle health care inequalities:
- Every state must have a health insurance exchange (shop) where people can purchase health insurance
- Insurers must insure evryone and NOT charge sick people more
- All Americans must have health insurance or they will be fined
- If you are on a low income the government will subsidise part of your health insurance
Rights + Responsibilities
Rights
- To own guns
- To vote
Responisbilities
to use them only in self defence
to use your vote
What percentage of USA population experience homelessness in a given year?
1%
3.18 million
Ethnic Composition of Homelessness in 2011
Whites -
Hispanics -
Natives -
Blacks -
Asians -
35%
13%
2%
49%
1%
6 reasons for homelessness:
- Lack of affordable housing - this is getting worse, rent rises at a rate of 5% every year
- low salary / unemployment
- domestic violence
- prisoner that has just been released
- substance abuse
- mental illness
Government response to housing inequality
The US Department for housing offers for those in need:
- public housing
- low cost rental plans
- advice on best housing options eg. rent or buy
Why are inner city schools worse than suburban ones?
50% of school funding is payed by the state, the other 50% comes out of local tax so in inner city areas where there is more poverty schools are worse.
2 reasons ethnic minorities absentee form school:
- Feeling unsafe - crime is more common in inner city areas
- Language barriers - in 2010 64% of APIs and 69% of Hispanics didn’t speak English as their first language
Drop out rates by ethnic group in 2010:
Hispanics -
Blacks -
Whites -
APIs -
17%
9%
5%
3%
