Nickel and Dimed "Evaluation"

    In the last chapter of Nickel and Dimed, Ehrenreich evaluates her progress and results after her project. She discovers that there is a huge problem in American economics. In her project she was given a free car and higher education, yet she still struggled to live well as a low-waged worker. She found it incredible how low the wage was and how high the rent was. Rent was her biggest factor to overcome as a low-waged worker. The rent was simply too high for the amount of money she received working.
    Ehrenreich delves into the saying "The rich get richer while the poor get poorer." She describes that even though the economy is rising nationally it does not apply to poor people. ONLY the rich get richer because of stocks and what not. This means that they own and buy more land. Poor people are therefore lead to live in more expensive housing. Also housing becomes more expensive as you move into the inner ring of the cities where most low-waged workers work. Therefore in order to live near work they would have to pay high amounts of rent. If they opted to live further outside of work in order for lower rent they would have to pay for transportation. It becomes a lose-lose situation for poor people.

     Ehrenreich also talks about the low wages of these workers and the poor treatment they get from employers. She explains why low waged workers do not revolt and ask for better pay or better treatment. Low waged workers are so dependent on their jobs and live on daily salary. This means that any time not working means no money. And in their lifestyle money must be made at every chance possible. Revolting could result in job loss with will in turn mean that the worker will lose his/her house. They fear the lack of money so deeply that they endure all of the mistreatment and low pay.
    Poverty is evident in American and effects many of the low-waged workers who are in poverty or near it. Many political parties deny the fact or choose not to help it. This results in poor people defending themselves against unfair wages and cruel mistreatment of their employers. Ehrenriech sums up the purpose of the novel in these explanations. She says that the low-waged life is so difficult for even her, a person of high knowledge. How can an average American maintain this life style and live well? Her conclusion is that they can't and they don't. Many of these workers barely live. She acknowledges her realization that hard work doesn't give you success as she sees all of these low waged workers , working as hard as possible just to sink deeper into poverty.
    In my peer response to my first draft I received some helpful feedback on my paper. My paper used good examples but could have had more explaining as the editor was confused on some parts. Also my thesis didn't come out clear enough for the responder. I'll take both of these in consideration when revising for the final draft.

    I'm so READY for March 30th. I'm going to the beach with my best friend. =D It's gonna be a BLAST! But before all that fun... I have more school to go through. Argh! Sunsets at the beach are beautiful.