Sorry you're poor

[Anonymous]

I don't give to solicitors either. I give to the charities of my choosing, which are usually the ones without funds to do mass mailings. Stand up for African mothers is on my list this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are people who are so poor that the only thing they have is money.

I love this.

[Anonymous]

Hey, as long as you are sorry...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a common misconception in America that just because someone is poor, then that is their fault.

Everyone is under the belief that in this country of ours, EVERYONE who wants to make it CAN.

And those that do not make it, only do not make it due to fault of their own.

That in America, EVERYONE has a shot at the brass ring.

This is the American Myth. It is pure mythology folks.

Why? For the obvious reason. Do the math.

Because theoretically speaking, there are not enough decent jobs in this country for EVERY single person in this country.

It just isn't possible for each and every single American in our country to hold a decent job here. It could never happen. And anyone who says it could is dreaming.

Well, yes, but that is not in contradiction to saying those who work hardest and are smartest are bound to end up better off than those who do not, barring some major bad luck (like being hit by a car crossing the street and turning into a vegetable).

When I was a cild, my family immigrated here with nothing but two suitcases each and less money than it would take to pay a month of rent on a crappy apartment. Knowledge of English at the time varied from very basic to nonexistent. Guess what? Every single one of my family members is currently middle class or upper middle class - the adults worked hard and made the way, the children studied hard (in practical fields) and then worked hard. I also have a number of immigrant friends with similar stories. As far as I and people around me are concerned, the American dream works fine.

Just curious, pp. How much did the government help you and your family? What kind of benefits did you receive? SNAP? Subsidized housing? Anything?

Well, the Government let us in, which was huge. We relied in large part on private charity for people of our background and some family that was here already, but we also did receive food stamps for about 6 months and health care.

I want to make clear that I have zero problem with social net programs like snap, medicare, housing assistance etc. Not just because they helped my family but on general principles - I don't believe people should be hungry or homeless or ill because they cannot or are unable to work. I just wanted to post to say that the attitude that if you start out poor, you will end up poor is not really correct.

You have one anecdote. The bolded view actually has studies. Poverty is generational. You had family help. What was your life like where you were from? Was your family educated? Stable?

The major difference is the immigrant factor. Most immigrants work very hard to provide for their families. Immigrant poor success is very different from multi-generational American poverty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are people who are so poor that the only thing they have is money.

I love this.

So true. Well said, pp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The fact is, society doesn't need 95% of the world's population to have MBAs, law degrees, etc. What we need in addition to lawyers, financial advisors, etc. is for people to take jobs as teachers, firefighters, nonprofit workers, clerical/support staff, daycare providers, sanitation workers, agriculture workers, etc. Heck, I am extremely grateful for the night cleaners who are hired to empty trash cans and vacuum my office at night.

Your high paying job does not exist in a vacuum and it takes all sorts of positions to keep society running.

Does that mean a secretary should eat at the same fancy restaurants and take the same expensive vacations as the partner at her law firm? Of course not. But the secretary also shouldn't have to live 50 miles from her job and live paycheck to paycheck while praying her kids never have a medical emergency. How in the world can you lack such compassion for the workers who teach our children, make sure our Christmas packages get delivered, etc.

OP -- you are far from the only person on this planet contributing anything worthwhile and I'd be willing to bet a lot of people who make less than you are benefitting society more than you.

+1,000,000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, Republican, but you are the epitome of the compassionate conservative who just doesn't understand this very basic distinguishing factor. As you've stated, you are happy to help those you deem worthy of assistance, but I suspect you aren't a fan of eradicating homelessness and poverty by expanding the safety net. That's the real difference. And if you say you are in favor of eradicating homelessness and poverty, then you are voting for the wrong party.

Expanding the safety net does not eliminate poverty. It institutionalizes it. Wake up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, Republican, but you are the epitome of the compassionate conservative who just doesn't understand this very basic distinguishing factor. As you've stated, you are happy to help those you deem worthy of assistance, but I suspect you aren't a fan of eradicating homelessness and poverty by expanding the safety net. That's the real difference. And if you say you are in favor of eradicating homelessness and poverty, then you are voting for the wrong party.

Expanding the safety net does not eliminate poverty. It institutionalizes it. Wake up.

+1 So true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have no soul.

+1000

I'm sorry you don't feel compassion for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There are people who are so poor that the only thing they have is money.


I love this.

So true. Well said, pp.

+1
Sounds like something Charles Dickens would have said.
Bah, humbug, OP.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher and recently attended 2 retirement parties for fellow teachers. We started talking and out of appr. 50 teachers and admins in attendance, only 2 or 3 people did not have at least one Master's degree (they were new teachers who had just started working on their Master's degrees). Most of us had 2 Master's degrees and the 2 people retiring had 3 each. I do not know many other professions with such highly educated people. It bothers me how our profession is generally looked down upon. When I lived in Arlington, my DD was eligible for the free preschool program there due to my low income. My friend teaches in NY and her kids are eligible for free lunch there. So yes, we are "poor" but please don't lump us into the same category as others who have not worked our tails off in school for many, many years and continue to do so.

[Anonymous]

The heated seats are making you sterile, so there's that.

(Actually, probably not a bad thing -- I can't imagine your spawn would be much better than you are.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are people who are so poor that the only thing they have is money.


I love this.

So true. Well said, pp.

+1
Sounds like something Charles Dickens would have said.
Bah, humbug, OP.

Dickens based the Scrooge character upon Thomas Malthus. /trivia

[Anonymous]

Spoken like a true member of the nouveau riche.


And you wonder why we dont accept you.

[Anonymous]

My initial reaction was one of compassion. I can't imagine how unhappy the OP must be to have posted this. OP - My hope for you is that you find happiness and contentment in the coming New Year.