Scranton: The Rich are Getting Richer; the Poor are Getting Poorer (Luzerne: section 8, health insurance)

[loveinbloom]

Originally Posted by Simons

Well said.. I could not agree with you more. IF the people without money would work harder they would have money as well. It is simple, work two jobs. I don't care if one is at McDonalds for 5 hours, and you work another place for 3. Heck work 10 hours a day... my husband does. He did not always have a great job. Through sacrificing -we are at a wonderful place in our lives. Do we deserve it.. darn right we do.

BRAVO...my husband got out of the military and was dxed with Gulf War syndrome...I was young...25/26 worked as a waitress f/t, went to college full-time, was it easy heck no...but I had to provide long term for my family. By the time I was fully established he was healthy enough to return to the work force ft...now I am retired and he is on his second career...my eldest two had to go with out Mommy being there a great deal, but my families survial was forfront in my mind. I missed many plays, school trips, and holidays...but food had to be on the table and a roof had to be kept over our head. I did what I had to do to stay "middle class" so my children would never know true poverty~!

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by NYRangers 2008

Wow Paul, I didn't realize the cost of living was that much down there. My apartment here in W. Scranton is $600/month But I bet it's a much nicer area as a whole than NEPA and there are more good, upscale jobs also. The cost of living will be higher if the quality of life is also.

Loudoun and Fairfax Counties in NoVA are the two most affluent counties in the nation. My community of Reston has one of the largest percentages of graduate degree holders of any community in the nation with 50,000 or more residents. I never thought I'd be living a lower-middle-class lifestyle with a Bachelor's Degree and a $40,000+ salary (which I'm hoping will be a Master's Degree and a much higher salary in 2010), but suffice to say as I look around at some of my peers tooling around in BMWs and Audis that I most certainly am living on the lower rungs here. It's frustrating because I know people my age who are already looking into buying their own home in Scranton whereas even at age 40 I don't know if I'll be able to afford a place of my own!

Higher quality-of-life? Meh. That's debateable. NoVA has the second-worst-traffic in the nation, a lot of people who judge you based upon what you do (or do not) own, a lot of humidity, a dearth of sidewalks or proper urban planning, etc. Outside of a few select areas (i.e. Old Town Alexandria, Leesburg, Fairfax City) there's not much in the way of old-world charm here. Overall I'm trying to make the best of it, but I'm sure eventually a move back to NEPA (most likely Downtown Wilkes-Barre) will be in my future.

[mathjak107]

everyone needs to stop paying attention to all this political crap and take control of your own lives... for over 50 years im listening to political parties blame each other for everything, im listening to political threats , promises and what if's..

know what? for my 34 years of my working life every day i get up, i put my pants on and i go to work. my income taxes are the lowest in 40 years that i pay , my health insurance the highest and everything in my life im responsible for myself good or bad. ... thru all this crap nothing has changed. every day i do exactley the same thing for 34 years .. i take control of my own life, my finances , and i alone make the stuff happen that i want to happen .. i dont wait for some political party to do anything for me.....

you can pay attention to all this meaningless crap or you can make things happen but i can assure you that you will have a very long wait for someone else to change your life.

instead of watching all the political news everyone would be far better served watching some good financial education shows and start learning more about your own financial well being so at least its on par with your knowledge of your refrigerator and car... 3/4's of america committs financial suicide by themselves just from lack of knowledge and planning..

if people devoted 1/2 as much time to their own lives as they do to this political bull they would be far better off.

[mathjak107]

Originally Posted by go phillies

Its not everything, but you do what you have to do to provide for your family.

money isnt everything but lack of money sure is...

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by go phillies

That's right blame it on "the man!" So you think that the government should just support you? That people shouldn't work hard ot be succesful? I don't get what argument you're trying to make.

Good old liberals....
Moses told his people; "Pack up your shovel, load your camel, saddle your ass, follow me and I will lead you to the promised land."
Lyndon Johnson told the people; "Throw away your shovel, sit on your ass, light up a camel, this IS the promised land."

Here's the reality of it:
http://mgraham.us/Other/Demotivators/Potential.jpg

Seriously, do you read a different forum than I post on? Where in the heck did I say the gov't should support me or anyone else?

I simply believe that the poor in this country get the shaft in regards to wages, health insurance and other benefits.

[EnyaGirl]

Originally Posted by mathjak107

I always wanted to see that 2.5 kid

LOL!

[go phillies]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Seriously, do you read a different forum than I post on? Where in the heck did I say the gov't should support me or anyone else?

I simply believe that the poor in this country get the shaft in regards to wages, health insurance and other benefits.

So you're saying people should get $15/hour + full benefits to flip burgers?

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by go phillies

So you're saying people should get $15/hour + full benefits to flip burgers?

No, I am saying the people should be paid an amount of money that will keep them off of welfare, food stamps and other gov't benefits. That person flipping your burger doesn't have health insurance (unless it's the manager of the restaurant). They don't qualify for gov't care unless they are pregnant or disabled.

Don't you think that employers should pay employees a salary that would allow said employees to have health insurance? Pay their rent? Etc?

Take my job. Now, I am lucky because I am paid fairly well. BUT I don't have health insurance and I can't afford it because of pre-existing conditions. My husband works just under full time and doesn't have health insurance either. We also both go to school full time.

Do you not see the issue here? It's either you throw up your hands and go on welfare to get all those benefits or you have to be lucky enough to get a job where your employer provides benefits.

There is NO other time for us to go out and get yet ANOTHER full time job to cover benefits.

I hate that some of you act like some of us dont' do all we can and still don't get ahead. Life is not black and white.

Don't assume that those of us without dont' work hard.

[DaCoach]

I guess even the supposed educated still have something to learn.

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by DaCoach

I guess even the supposed educated still have something to learn.

Another well thought out reply to a serious discussion.