Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity asked each of the Presidential candidates to answer the following five questions.

1. GOAL: Some nations have set numerical targets to reduce poverty. The UK, for example, has set a goal to eliminate child poverty by 2020.

Would your Administration set a specific numerical target and timeline for
reducing poverty and if so, what would it be? With or without a target,
what would be your top policy priorities for reducing poverty?

2. OPPORTUNITY: The American Dream is about the opportunity to get ahead by working hard. Today, however, three million American workers live in poverty while working full-time and year-round.

What, if any, actions would your Administration take to address this situation?

3. YOUR PAST ACTIONS:

Throughout your career, what action, policy, or effort are you most proud of that in some way addressed the issue of the poverty and opportunity? How would this experience inform or reflect your Administration’s approach to poverty and opportunity?

4. CHILDREN: Poverty takes a harsh toll on children. Children who are poor are more likely to die in infancy, go without health care, housing and adequate food, and do worse in school. Nearly one in ten U.S. children – 6 million – live in extreme poverty (below 50 percent of the official poverty level, just $10,000 for a family of four) and nearly one in five children live in poverty.

What actions would you take to protect children from these consequences of poverty?

5. THE ROLE of GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, and INDIVIDUALS: Individuals,
employers, and government can each play a role related to poverty.

How would your policy proposals consider and balance the roles of individual responsibility, government action, and business practices?