Even in the United States, most people did not have a telephone or a refrigerator as late as 1930. Today, most Americans living below the official poverty level have not only these things but also color television, air-conditioning, a microwave oven and a motor vehicle.
What is considered “poverty” in this country would be opulence...not only in third world countries, but throughout the ages! Ancient kings did not or could not live as long or as comfortably as the “poor” in the US do today!
A recent study puts anyone with assets of $2200 in the top 50% wealthiest people on earth. Think car, refrigerator, color TV, household furniture, and you get to $2200 pretty darn quick!
Now if the “poverty pimps” would start telling people how well off they are and forget victimization, maybe they could go on and improve their lot in life even more!
Proof - 03:12pm on 12/29/2006
It’s our fault if someone spends their money on something they don’t need and don’t have money to buy groceries.
The Whistler - 03:12pm on 12/29/2006
Groceries! Whistler, that remiinds me of a time I was in California, working my butt off to feed my family, pinching every penny...standing in line behind a guy using food stamps to buy his groceries including some of the biggest steaks I’d ever seen (with me buying hot dogs and beans!) and then, to buy the things you weren’t allowed to buy with food stamps (dog food and such) he pulls out this wad of fifty and hundred dollar bills to buy what the food stamps wouldn’t.
It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know that my tax dollars were helping one of us to just get by!
Proof - 03:12pm on 12/29/2006
First time I ever saw food stamps being used was at 7-11 and the lady was buying a frozen pizza and a six pack of tab.
You know there’s a problem when the food stamps need to be given out as a debit card because some people didn’t like redeeming the coupons.
The Whistler - 04:12pm on 12/29/2006
TW: Yes, it might hurt their feelings to be recognized as dependents, so let’s give them what others have to earn. Typical leftie thinking. It’s all about feelings.
robert108 - 04:12pm on 12/29/2006
Given that we are all given the opportunity for twelve years of free public education , just whos fault is it if someone is living below the national average?
Most of those middle class poor are in debt over their heads because they can’t manage their spending and not because they are not paid a fair wage for their skills.
There are some hard luck stories and in the majority of cases they have a common denominator. Limited skills. And whos fault is that?
Man is part of nature and nature can be harsh.
Mickey - 06:12pm on 12/29/2006
Defination of poverty lacking the basic food, shelter and clothing.
You can cloth yourself for $100 a year.
You can eat cheap at about $100 a month.
Shelter is a bit more of a wild card. However basic needs are pretty basics. Warm, Dry with running water.
Lacking those would be living in poverty. Having enough money to afford these items (but spending your money otherwise) is not poverty.
The Whistler - 06:12pm on 12/29/2006
Thomas Sowell tells The Truth. Read The Ecomomics of Politics and Race . There, Thomas Sowell solves the “mystery” of poverty and race by pointing out after looking at statistical analysis that the prime indicator of poverty is not race, but age ! Imagine that!
He also said:
What is considered “poverty” in this country would be opulence...not only in third world countries, but throughout the ages! Ancient kings did not or could not live as long or as comfortably as the “poor” in the US do today!
A recent study puts anyone with assets of $2200 in the top 50% wealthiest people on earth. Think car, refrigerator, color TV, household furniture, and you get to $2200 pretty darn quick!
Now if the “poverty pimps” would start telling people how well off they are and forget victimization, maybe they could go on and improve their lot in life even more!
It’s our fault if someone spends their money on something they don’t need and don’t have money to buy groceries.
Groceries! Whistler, that remiinds me of a time I was in California, working my butt off to feed my family, pinching every penny...standing in line behind a guy using food stamps to buy his groceries including some of the biggest steaks I’d ever seen (with me buying hot dogs and beans!) and then, to buy the things you weren’t allowed to buy with food stamps (dog food and such) he pulls out this wad of fifty and hundred dollar bills to buy what the food stamps wouldn’t.
It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know that my tax dollars were helping one of us to just get by!
First time I ever saw food stamps being used was at 7-11 and the lady was buying a frozen pizza and a six pack of tab.
You know there’s a problem when the food stamps need to be given out as a debit card because some people didn’t like redeeming the coupons.
TW: Yes, it might hurt their feelings to be recognized as dependents, so let’s give them what others have to earn. Typical leftie thinking. It’s all about feelings.
Given that we are all given the opportunity for twelve years of free public education , just whos fault is it if someone is living below the national average?
Most of those middle class poor are in debt over their heads because they can’t manage their spending and not because they are not paid a fair wage for their skills.
There are some hard luck stories and in the majority of cases they have a common denominator. Limited skills. And whos fault is that?
Man is part of nature and nature can be harsh.
Defination of poverty lacking the basic food, shelter and clothing.
You can cloth yourself for $100 a year.
You can eat cheap at about $100 a month.
Shelter is a bit more of a wild card. However basic needs are pretty basics. Warm, Dry with running water.
Lacking those would be living in poverty. Having enough money to afford these items (but spending your money otherwise) is not poverty.
Thomas Sowell tells The Truth. Read The Ecomomics of Politics and Race . There, Thomas Sowell solves the “mystery” of poverty and race by pointing out after looking at statistical analysis that the prime indicator of poverty is not race, but age ! Imagine that!
Ah, youthism.