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Today's seniors have lived their entire lives believing in the Socialist promises of "Social Security". They have planned on being government dependent in their final years and thus many have made poor economic and retirement choices. This has without a doubt contributed to the prevalence of poverty among seniors (as well as the invention of the HMO, Medicare, and our now super high medical costs).
Did you not see this?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mohawkx
The elephant in the room that no conservative ever mentions is Seniors. They group the poor into working poor or deadbeats and always postulating that the majority of poor are deadbeats. This follows the conservative agenda of wanting to dismantle all social safety nets, Social Security being one of the hot button programs they would like to dismantle along with medicare. Well here's some information that addresses the real numbers.
"Between 1959 and 1974, the elderly poverty rate fell from 35 percent to 15 percent. This was largely attributable to a set of increases in Social Security benefits."
"If Social Security benefits did not exist, an estimated 44 percent of the elderly would be poor today, assuming no changes in behavior."
"While 9.4 percent of seniors had incomes in 2006 below the poverty threshold of $9,669 for an individual, and $12,186 for a couple, nearly a quarter of older Americans (22.4 percent) had family incomes below 150 percent of the poverty line."
"If we had a better measure of poverty, the elderly poverty rate would be considerably higher. The current poverty measure gives no consideration to health care costs, among other problems. High medical bills for the elderly can greatly reduce the income available to meet their other needs."
Okay, I've read a lot of posts here the past couple of years, and I've often put out the accusation that most conservatives hate poor people. Conservatives, of course vehemently deny it and say that they don't know anyone who feels that way, so I thought I'd start this thread and ask this honest question. What is your attitude toward the poor?
1. Are they mostly people who have had hard luck?
2. Or are they worthless scum and are a drain on society?
3. Is there such a thing as "working poor" in your mind? And if so, about what portion of America's poor do you deem to be "working poor."
4. What would you do if you witnessed poverty in your own life--not if YOU became poor, but if you came into contact with a poor person, child or family?
5. Do you or have you done anything to help relieve poverty in your community? If so, what do you do? I'm not asking you to brag, but just share if you do.
You might think I'm trolling, but I'm actually curious, since you all deny that you hate poor people. I promise I'll read your responses with an open mnd. I swear.
1. Some are
2. Some are
3. Yes
4. I was a low ranking enlistedman (E-5) when I saw real poverty. My gross pay was $1500 a month before my $275 a month childsupport. I didn't have money to give, so I donated my time to help with repairs to a children's hospital.
5. I still don't make much money (current gross pay isabout $34,000 a year while supporting disabled wife and 86 year old father-in-law.). I donate clothing, blankets, and food when I can. I help some of my neighbors with their computers, satellite tv, and home AC.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mackinac81
Okay, I've read a lot of posts here the past couple of years, and I've often put out the accusation that most conservatives hate poor people. Conservatives, of course vehemently deny it and say that they don't know anyone who feels that way, so I thought I'd start this thread and ask this honest question. What is your attitude toward the poor?
1. Are they mostly people who have had hard luck?
2. Or are they worthless scum and are a drain on society?
3. Is there such a thing as "working poor" in your mind? And if so, about what portion of America's poor do you deem to be "working poor."
4. What would you do if you witnessed poverty in your own life--not if YOU became poor, but if you came into contact with a poor person, child or family?
5. Do you or have you done anything to help relieve poverty in your community? If so, what do you do? I'm not asking you to brag, but just share if you do.
You might think I'm trolling, but I'm actually curious, since you all deny that you hate poor people. I promise I'll read your responses with an open mnd. I swear.
If that's all you have until you get a pay check the river can supply that at least in the country. Ever heard of camping and going down to the river to bathe or get water for a portable shower. Believe me you will learn to hang on to a job, so you won't have to worry where your next shower comes from. I'm not talking about seniors either............
4. What would you do if you witnessed poverty in your own life--not if YOU became poor, but if you came into contact with a poor person, child or family?
Thanks
mackinac
I give money to Obama's relatives daily in the city where I am, some of the homeless and I converse after I buy them a meal. Some very nice folks who are not connected to society as they should be. Most all are mental if not part of a family that I've seen.
I did this year and last year host a homeless family in my home for about 5 months while I was away at work in another city. Won't do it again. They broke things, didn't respect stuff, were filthy and my wife even got one of them a job with benefits that they refused to take rather than lose their $400 in welfare. Sometimes there are reasons some people are broke and on the dole.
We will be hosting for many months a relative who just lost their job, are pregnant and the husband is also unemployed. Hope they do better.
My family have a history of trying to help others. My mother was a minister in our state for the purpose of helping people in prison and she was later involved in the establishment of a half way house for men to eventually get back their life and to their families.
On the east coast other family a while back pretty much helped start the civil war regarding slavery and were talking freedom for blacks at a time when white people would be killed for it. I am part of a very vocal family at a crucial time that were historically very responsible for the changes made for the good regarding blacks and against slavery.
There are some statues in NY of some of my relatives which pigeons of course make nice targets.
We all try, but you honestly can't give away everything for people, some will work low wage jobs and will live two families to a rental like the old days.
Would be better if everyone would at least graduate high school and would learn the King's English, but that is just my opinion.
If that's all you have until you get a pay check the river can supply that at least in the country. Ever heard of camping and going down to the river to bathe or get water for a portable shower. Believe me you will learn to hang on to a job, so you won't have to worry where your next shower comes from. I'm not talking about seniors either............
Hey there are still people living that made it through the great depression, so you never know. Some are so spoiled that some things said seem impossible.
Hey there are still people living that made it through the great depression, so you never know. Some are so spoiled that some things said seem impossible.
How many times have you or the previous poster bathed in the river? I find the attitude that one should do so outrageous.
How many times have you or the previous poster bathed in the river? I find the attitude that one should do so outrageous.
Camping out has had plenty of people doing that. I'm sure there are some people in trailers in either camping facilities or trailers who have hit rough times and are trying to ride out the economic turmoil.
People I had over my house for months who are homeless were a family who were living out of their car that my wife knew.
They were living at a park, using the public toilet and sink for their hygiene issues.
Not always the smartest bunch I might add. The guy was out of construction work, so the wife of course pulls the device in herself that kept her from being pregnant and got pregnant with a third child.
Child born in public hospital on the dole with $400 a month from welfare.
She had the baby to not work. After a few months my wife found her a job with benefits that she refused to go get.
Some people are lazy, some are mental, some are hard workers trying and are having it real tough. Not good times.
I think every family at least knows some family member at this time with job issues.
You never know what some people will do to survive, including stream bathing...
If that's all you have until you get a pay check the river can supply that at least in the country. Ever heard of camping and going down to the river to bathe or get water for a portable shower. Believe me you will learn to hang on to a job, so you won't have to worry where your next shower comes from. I'm not talking about seniors either............
I had to do that for 2 years after my life blew up many years ago. lived in the forest .finally got back on my feet and now in an old victorian I own. in the beginning I missed camping and assumed it would go away,never did. when we have a storm I even go to the forest and start a fire and set a camp just to know I can do it. once you do it the peace is great. dodging the forest service is the biggest problem but way too easy.
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