Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No, I knew where the money was and have a PhD in biochemistry. But then Bill Cosby had a doctorate in education and made some money.

What do you do with your PhD in biochemistry? I'm curious to know if what you do with your PhD in biochemistry is as important for society as teaching, or whether it's just personally lucrative.

Anonymous wrote:

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 wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Really enough of "I'm a teacher and I have all of these master's degrees" crap. The master's degress you have are the equivalent of underwater basketweaving or fingerpainting. You do not learn anything important but only more kidding minding strategies. Try learn something useful like applied math, physics, computer science, nursing or anything that will get you a high paying job. I don't care if you teach math, physics, computer science or nursing. Those who can do, those who can't teach. Learn something worth being paid for.

Anonymous wrote:Actually I'm not. I didn't come from money. Lower middle class at best and a shitty mid western town that is slowly decaying due to offshoring.

Sorry you didn't choose a major in college that has high paying mid career salary and went with a liberal arts degree that makes you feel smart but pays $30k a year. You should have taken out loans like me and gone to business school. Sorry you didn't take a job fraught with risk and move to the budding new Silicon Valley of nova with a ton of student debt but with hope for the upside. Actually nope not sorry at all. The heated seats in my GL550 warm my soul.

Anonymous wrote:Actually I'm not. I didn't come from money. Lower middle class at best and a shitty mid western town that is slowly decaying due to offshoring.

Sorry you didn't choose a major in college that has high paying mid career salary and went with a liberal arts degree that makes you feel smart but pays $30k a year. You should have taken out loans like me and gone to business school. Sorry you didn't take a job fraught with risk and move to the budding new Silicon Valley of nova with a ton of student debt but with hope for the upside. Actually nope not sorry at all. The heated seats in my GL550 warm my soul.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.


Really enough of "I'm a teacher and I have all of these master's degrees" crap. The master's degress you have are the equivalent of underwater basketweaving or fingerpainting. You do not learn anything important but only more kidding minding strategies. Try learn something useful like applied math, physics, computer science, nursing or anything that will get you a high paying job. I don't care if you teach math, physics, computer science or nursing. Those who can do, those who can't teach. Learn something worth being paid for.

Clearly, you were rejected from an M.Ed program. It's ok, not everyone is good enough to be a teacher.

No, I knew where the money was and have a PhD in biochemistry. But then Bill Cosby had a doctorate in education and made some money.

Anonymous wrote:

No, I knew where the money was and have a PhD in biochemistry. But then Bill Cosby had a doctorate in education and made some money.

Anonymous wrote:

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.


Really enough of "I'm a teacher and I have all of these master's degrees" crap. The master's degress you have are the equivalent of underwater basketweaving or fingerpainting. You do not learn anything important but only more kidding minding strategies. Try learn something useful like applied math, physics, computer science, nursing or anything that will get you a high paying job. I don't care if you teach math, physics, computer science or nursing. Those who can do, those who can't teach. Learn something worth being paid for.

Clearly, you were rejected from an M.Ed program. It's ok, not everyone is good enough to be a teacher.

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you are really sorry because I am poor, how about lending me some money. A few grand will be just fine. I will return with interest!

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.


Really enough of "I'm a teacher and I have all of these master's degrees" crap. The master's degress you have are the equivalent of underwater basketweaving or fingerpainting. You do not learn anything important but only more kidding minding strategies. Try learn something useful like applied math, physics, computer science, nursing or anything that will get you a high paying job. I don't care if you teach math, physics, computer science or nursing. Those who can do, those who can't teach. Learn something worth being paid for.

Anonymous wrote: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.

I live in what I have been told is a Democratic bastion in Arlington. I am the neighborhood person who always gets asked to solicit help for major charities such as Lupus, Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, March of Dimes and similar well known charities. The most I have gotten from the 27 people I have been required to solicit funds from is $10 from a woman who carpools with me. I think she was embarrassed not to give something. This has been at least 6 requests a year for 7 years. $10. I feel bad that no one will give me and always just write a check for $200 to the charities. I can afford and so can my neighbors. But they won't give a dime.