1 in 6 Americans in poverty?

[arbygil]

I love to read all the hate for America,it makes my heart swell.

I live well below the poverty line in the U.S., and would you believe it. I'm completely content with my life. I love my country and acknowledge it's faults, there is still no other place I would rather lay my head. I don't over complicate things and I know what I want.

I don't think it's necessarily hate; it's more like frustration. America has never been able to take care of all her people. It's just too big. But every year that gap gets worse, and some of that is due to the way the country was created. A society is only as good as its people.

 

[arbygil]

Alright but then do they not buy food? It is a necessity in which if they cannot afford - they starve?

Actually, PG...it sort of is like that. No one wants to starve, of course, but if you can't get federal aid then you have to rely on handouts and kindness of others. America can't take care of everyone so generally the houses of worship and charity organizations take care of the remaining majority.

 

[Satya]

Actually, PG...it sort of is like that. No one wants to starve, of course, but if you can't get federal aid then you have to rely on handouts and kindness of others. America can't take care of everyone so generally the houses of worship and charity organizations take care of the remaining majority.

Darn it! I wanted to joke a little more before we got into social welfare and government aid.

In essence, the whole "redistrubution of wealth" thing that the Republicans are harping about as "socialism" is the basis by which those living in poverty can get by. Taxing the elite of the country so as to provide for basic needs of the poor such as food and health care.

 

[Pristinegirl]

Darn it! I wanted to joke a little more before we got into social welfare and government aid.

In essence, the whole "redistrubution of wealth" thing that the Republicans are harping about as "socialism" is the basis by which those living in poverty can get by. Taxing the elite of the country so as to provide for basic needs of the poor such as food and health care.

The Robin Hood society.

Actually, PG...it sort of is like that. No one wants to starve, of course, but if you can't get federal aid then you have to rely on handouts and kindness of others. America can't take care of everyone so generally the houses of worship and charity organizations take care of the remaining majority.

Ah I think that is so admirable that there are communities and organizations willing to genuinely HELP like that. Really, never stop!!

 

[Satya]

The Robin Hood society.



Ah I think that is so admirable that there are communities and organizations willing to genuinely HELP like that. Really, never stop!!

How interesting that when it is "communities and organizations" that are doing it then it is admirable, but when it is the government then it is the "Robin Hood society".

 

[arbygil]

I'm really glad I'm not the only one who's ever been homeless.

 

[Pristinegirl]

How interesting that when it is "communities and organizations" that are doing it then it is admirable, but when it is the government then it is the "Robin Hood society".

Yea because when the communities and organizations do it, FREELY!!!! Completely willingly and genuinely they show empathy, compassion and unity with their fellow man disregarding their stance. IN OTHER WORDS: PURE GOODNESS!!! As opposed to compulsory RIPPING it from you and taking away all of those blessings of helping our fellow man...

 

[testing]

I found that the poverty level for a family of 4 in America is $22,050. (http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/09poverty.shtml)

There is absolutely no way I could maintain my family on that income; daycare alone for two children runs about $12,000 a year, groceries run us about $6,500 a year, medical care and insurance (that I pay) runs about $4,200 a year. Those three expenses alone are $22,700 a year, supposedly above the poverty line. That doesn't even count what we pay for housing, clothes, cars/transportation to get to work...

Maintaining/paying for a household is astonishingly expensive; I can totally believe that people can get tipped over that poverty line pretty easily.

There are a lot of churches and charity organizations that help people out. There would be a lot more starving people otherwise.

There is something to be said for simplicity and appreciating the non-material things in life. Maybe we don't do that enough here. But... people sometimes imply that financial woes are all caused by wanting the lifestyle of the rich and famous... and folks, the lifestyle of the middle-class and boring is very pricey too. A fairly modest middle-class lifestyle is not cheap in America, and you have to work hard and be able to get a good job in order to afford it.

I am not very familiar with how the middle-class lives in other developed countries, but from what I see they don't live too differently from here.

 

[Billy]

Wow, not only are 1 in 6 Americans likely living in poverty, but the US has the third biggest gap between the rich and poor. Where do we get off telling other countries how to do business?

Yeah except poor in the USA isn't like poor elsewhere, one of the only countries in history where the poorer you get the fatter you get. And I dont know too many poor people outside of the USA with 50 inch flat screen LCD tvs and Xbox 360s and a car. Poor is a very over used and inappropriate word for making policy. Its all emotion.

To answer your question, yes the USA is still the Greatest country, you can be impoverished and start your own business and work your way out of the gutter from nothing, try doing that else where. If you cant make it in the US you probably wont make it anywhere.

 

[Billy]

Yea because when the communities and organizations do it, FREELY!!!! Completely willingly and genuinely they show empathy, compassion and unity with their fellow man disregarding their stance. IN OTHER WORDS: PURE GOODNESS!!! As opposed to compulsory RIPPING it from you and taking away all of those blessings of helping our fellow man...

Totally, charity is one thing, but the government forcing you to give money to others isn't charity is it?

 

[Blind Bandit]

Yeah except poor in the USA isn't like poor elsewhere, one of the only countries in history where the poorer you get the fatter you get. And I dont know too many poor people outside of the USA with 50 inch flat screen LCD tvs and Xbox 360s and a car. Poor is a very over used and inappropriate word for making policy. Its all emotion.

To answer your question, yes the USA is still the Greatest country, you can be impoverished and start your own business and work your way out of the gutter from nothing, try doing that else where. If you cant make it in the US you probably wont make it anywhere.

Thats bull and you know it.

If you haven't been poor then you can't talk.

I'm sorry but this oh people aren't poor BS gets me so angry.

Wake the hell up people. America isn't the greatest place to live.


Poverty is a very real and very prevent problem in America. And tell people oh well just work harder doesn't work.

Totally, charity is one thing, but the government forcing you to give money to others isn't charity is it?

thats the problem. This countries so worried about everyone trampling over everyone else people forget to help others or simply don't want too.

 

[testing]

Yeah except poor in the USA isn't like poor elsewhere, one of the only countries in history where the poorer you get the fatter you get. And I dont know too many poor people outside of the USA with 50 inch flat screen LCD tvs and Xbox 360s and a car.

I do not understand this phenemenom... how can they afford it? Even if it is all fast food? People always say fast food is cheaper... and it is... but still, it adds up fast too. Beans and rice are probably the cheapest.

Poverty is real but the poorer=fatter in America thing is a measurable statistic.

 

[Sithious]

With more to come

 

[Sithious]

Yeah except poor in the USA isn't like poor elsewhere, one of the only countries in history where the poorer you get the fatter you get. And I dont know too many poor people outside of the USA with 50 inch flat screen LCD tvs and Xbox 360s and a car. Poor is a very over used and inappropriate word for making policy. Its all emotion.

To answer your question, yes the USA is still the Greatest country, you can be impoverished and start your own business and work your way out of the gutter from nothing, try doing that else where. If you cant make it in the US you probably wont make it anywhere.

Wait, USA is the only country where you can work your way to the top?
hahahahahaha

 

[Shai Gar]

Yeah except poor in the USA isn't like poor elsewhere, one of the only countries in history where the poorer you get the fatter you get. And I dont know too many poor people outside of the USA with 50 inch flat screen LCD tvs and Xbox 360s and a car. Poor is a very over used and inappropriate word for making policy. Its all emotion.

It's called subsidised process food, makes it appear cheaper to buy junk food. Combine that with crime and weak minds, and you get that.

To answer your question, yes the USA is still the Greatest country, you can be impoverished and start your own business and work your way out of the gutter from nothing, try doing that else where. If you cant make it in the US you probably wont make it anywhere.

Get bent.
Canada.
United Kingdom.
Ireland.
Australia.
New Zealand.
Germany.
France.

Et Cetera.

 

[arbygil]

I do not understand this phenemenom... how can they afford it? Even if it is all fast food? People always say fast food is cheaper... and it is... but still, it adds up fast too. Beans and rice are probably the cheapest.

Poverty is real but the poorer=fatter in America thing is a measurable statistic.

The reason why poorer people are fatter is because the worst quality food is cheap. You have to eat more to get more vitamins and your body can't use the food you eat (so it stores it). The higher the quality food, the easier your body can process it and burn off the excess.

Theoretically, anyway. Sometimes there are other reasons, but there's a reason why the poorest states in the US are also the fattest. It's an interesting statistic.

 

[Satya]

Yea because when the communities and organizations do it, FREELY!!!! Completely willingly and genuinely they show empathy, compassion and unity with their fellow man disregarding their stance. IN OTHER WORDS: PURE GOODNESS!!! As opposed to compulsory RIPPING it from you and taking away all of those blessings of helping our fellow man...

The irony is that those "communities and organizations" that do it "FREELY" are usually non profit and faith based groups that are...guess what...SUBSIDIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT!

 

[Pristinegirl]

Yeah except poor in the USA isn't like poor elsewhere, one of the only countries in history where the poorer you get the fatter you get. And I dont know too many poor people outside of the USA with 50 inch flat screen LCD tvs and Xbox 360s and a car. Poor is a very over used and inappropriate word for making policy. Its all emotion.

To answer your question, yes the USA is still the Greatest country, you can be impoverished and start your own business and work your way out of the gutter from nothing, try doing that else where. If you cant make it in the US you probably wont make it anywhere.

Totally, charity is one thing, but the government forcing you to give money to others isn't charity is it?

Haha so well put Billy, I agree with everything you said! America surely is one of a kind xD

Charity is defined as: Man's love of his fellow-men. Benevolence to others less fortunate than ourselves.

While taxation is supposed to take care of the same thing as charity - It lacks all meaningful bits and rips people of the empathy... Perhaps this is why people are exceptionally bitter, insensitive and careless over here because its supposed to be the states job. Therefore, there are no charities nor feelings of compassion and willingness to help over here..

 

[Satya]

Yeah except poor in the USA isn't like poor elsewhere, one of the only countries in history where the poorer you get the fatter you get. And I dont know too many poor people outside of the USA with 50 inch flat screen LCD tvs and Xbox 360s and a car. Poor is a very over used and inappropriate word for making policy. Its all emotion.

I would say you are rather prejudiced to the poor if this is how you view them. I guarantee you a single mother just getting by on food stamps does not have a 50 inch flat screen LCD TV or XBox 360. In essence, your view is rather distorted.

And FYI, I did not use the term "poor" when I began this thread, I used the term "impoverished". Apparently you don't know the difference.

To answer your question, yes the USA is still the Greatest country, you can be impoverished and start your own business and work your way out of the gutter from nothing, try doing that else where. If you cant make it in the US you probably wont make it anywhere.

I'm happy you have such thick boot straps.

 

[Pristinegirl]

The irony is that those "communities and organizations" that do it "FREELY" are usually non profit and faith based groups that are...guess what...SUBSIDIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT!

Why is that ironic?? I think it is amazing and admirable and even if they are subsidized, which is not even near all of them, then so be it. It is MUCH better in my opinion because people still genuinely WANT to help, rather than having state-sucking-leeches on your income to do the same job... which they so often fail to do!