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That is a good question OP .
I used to rent a house to a couple that had been poor their whole lives, they were really stupid with money and their health which eventually led them to both be on disability. The state gave them over $2000 per month plus food stamps and FREE health insurance. Not bad but of course they were not allowed to have anything in savings and they were limited to the hours they could work.
It was like the state paid them to remain poor. If they made too much money they would start losing the freebies so there was zero motivation to improve their lot.
Sometimes I questioned why I was working so hard, worrying about tomorrow and paying my bills.
Why not chuck it all in and let the Government take care of us?
You don't want to purposely live that life if you're already past it or never came from it.
You said yourself that their health is shot. Even the omnipotent State with its God-like politicians can't cure you of all diseases.
It's frustrating on two levels if you're honest with yourself:
1. You're paying for this s*it. Obviously.
2. The weakest among us (physically and intellectually) are no match for the promise of a minimum level of existence provided by the government.
I'm not too familiar with the legislation but I know many states are cracking down on those payday loan places with the astronomical interest rates.
It sort of makes me chuckle.
Here we have the government, the master scam artist at keeping people poor, pulling a morality card out of its behind saying that these loan places are taking advantage of the financially ignorant.
I don't think being poor is a lifestyle choice for the majority of people. You make it sound like being poor is a bed of roses. It ain't. How many people have you heard of who have died because they couldn't afford the medical care for their disease? I can't even believe this is a thread.
actually you don't have to live in a bad neighborhood if you're poor. With voucher programs you just need to meet income requirements. You can live in a $4,000 a month spot if you pay 30% of your income to live there. The PHAs (public housing agencies)receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.
A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA.
In general, the family's income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family chooses to live (about 34K in Boston). By law, a PHA must provide 75 percent of its voucher to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income.
Apparently no one here will actually define what “ poor” is here in America and what location is that description applicable. Additionally, any discussion about the “ poor” needs to consider the influence of brown and black market income not included in statistics.
I can’t understand how a discussion can take place without the consideration of the above.
Oh well, play on I guess.
The only people that can significantly benefit from these scenarios would be people with money but low "income" due to income or investment returns providing "tax free" cash, getting handouts from relatives (like free rent at parents rental property or driving their vehicle and getting money given to you) OR MAKING UNREPORTED INCOME...or some combo thereof that then qualifies them for programs designed to help the poor like Obamacare subsidies as one example.
Location: New Albany, Indiana (Greater Louisville)
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At the lowest level you are better off not working. But only if you make right at minimum wage. $12+ an hour full time with insurance is far more than the best safety net pay out.
The only people that can significantly benefit from these scenarios would be people with money but low "income" due to income or investment returns providing "tax free" cash, getting handouts from relatives (like free rent at parents rental property or driving their vehicle and getting money given to you) OR MAKING UNREPORTED INCOME...or some combo thereof that then qualifies them for programs designed to help the poor like Obamacare subsidies as one example.
Otherwise, their poor and well...that sucks.
I know people that fit the descriptions above.
This happens too but there are others.
My nephew is/was the prime example of being better off poor...at least in a temporary situation.
He was working poor and received Obamacare, SNAP, and help with utilities for...I wanna say just over 2 years (I'm not close to him so don't know for sure).
At his job he refused not one but two promotions because the increase in money from his private employer would be less in what he would lose from the government. He had school loans too and I think going up on income would have hurt his wallet repayment amount-wise.
This was all relatively recent, obviously, with expanded Medicaid under Obamacare.
He was eventually offered a better promotion at his job that was worth it.
Apparently no one here will actually define what “ poor” is here in America and what location is that description applicable. Additionally, any discussion about the “ poor” needs to consider the influence of brown and black market income not included in statistics.
I can’t understand how a discussion can take place without the consideration of the above.
Oh well, play on I guess.
Poor is defined by government guidelines for benefits.
They are the ones that own you, no matter your income.
Apparently tis the season for right wing memes about poor people and taxes.
Taxes are robbery, being poor is easy because middle class white people in Texas have to pay for everything. You guys must be fun around the dining room table at holidays with your non stop complaining about the poor and minorities.
Apparently tis the season for right wing memes about poor people and taxes.
Taxes are robbery, being poor is easy because middle class white people in Texas have to pay for everything. You guys must be fun around the dining room table at holidays with your non stop complaining about the poor and minorities.
Right?? Just miserable people.
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