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Fact of the matter is that if it wasn't for the mass numbers of the 99 percenters working then those rich would not be so. Who else is gonna clean their houses, wait on their tables, & take care of their kids? The country needs to keep a certain number of people down otherwise there just wouldn't be any rich people. The down domino affect you are seeing will eventually be going up the latter. Point in case, the whiny rich man who bought most of the Seattle Mariners to keep them here is now crying about how he might have to file bankruptcy because he can no longer afford the dozen's of houses and expensive toys; that will soon be double because his wife is divorcing him. So you see, then domino's have started up the latter in some cases.
I was in the grocery store recently one night. There was a young family in there grocery shopping. They had a child with them and I assumed the grandmother was along. Both parents rode the scooters. The guy was kind of a lard butt, not morbidly obese but overweight and in his 20s. There was a young guy along too who pushed a shopping cart. The woman also rode in a scooter but she looked perfectly healthy. The grandmother pushed a shopping cart. The couples son, about 8 or 9, rode on the scooter with dad. I thought what a thing to teach a kid, to be a total lazy slob. They paid for their groceries with food stamp cards which I saw because I got stuck behind them in line. What is with these lazy people who don't like to walk? I'm talking about people in their late teens and early 20s and 30s.
They all had those foodstamp cards. I guess maybe they are poor, they can't work being lazy slobs, and need the assistance. Another time there was an old guy with the same card. I figured he at least had a right to have one, he's old and if he needs help making ends meet its through no fault of his own. I'd have loved to see what kind of car the family was driving, I'd have bet money it was a lot nicer than mine.
For years I've donated for toys for tots and for food pantries and to the salvation army. But I'll be honest I think maybe it would be good to let many of these moochers practically starve and do without for the Holidays this time around. They have their X boxes and cell phones and TVs and probably don't need the help anyway. I'll soften and donate anyway and hope it goes to those truly in need but we have to start making cuts on assistance programs. Put a time limit on them of 5 or at most 10 years. after that point them in the direction of a church or other private charity and let them beg. Coming face to face with somebody you want help from would be do them good rather than getting a check every month.
WOW!!! Why is it that every time there is a discussion about poverty, someone comes up with this same type of "story" about the "slobs shopping with food stamps." And they ALWAYS seem to be able to look into their crystal ball and KNOW that this person is driving a caddy, watching a large screen tv, and playing x boxes.
In the first place, I suspect most of these stories are completely made up. In the second place, they really don't have a crystal ball and for all they really know the people in their story took the bus to the store and live in a homeless shelter.
And, finally, people telling these type of stories have no idea of why the person is receiving food stamps. Did they work for a company that was closed down and the jobs sent overseas? Do they have a child with a serious illness that the insurance company won't cover? In this time of high unemployment is their job...the only one they can find...a minimum wage job that doesn't even cover their rent, let alone groceries?
The point is there are many reasons that a person could be using food stamps. But for the mean-spirited, selfish, and cruel among us, none of these reasons are considered. The ONLY reason they can see when they look through their eyes of hate is that these poor people are "lazy slobs" who should be forced to "beg" for food. God forgive them.
I can’t believe the arrogance, the ignorance, and the whining in this thread.
I’m from another country, a country most of you speak down to. A country I’m proud of. A country that is making every effort to take care of its misfortunate. A, horrors forbid, socialist country, or so you say. But we believe that teaching a person to fish is better that giving a person a fish. Yes, that is a socialist philosophy, giving the fish is a conservative philosophy, hide the misfortunate away, and ease your conscience that is the conservative way.
I really can’t believe that a country I was once proud to be neigbours with has sunk to such a low regard for human beings. A country that was based upon Christian teachings, I’m an atheist , but I believe that Jesus’ teaching whether fact or myth were a major positive revolutionary force in the evolution of human dignity, just as the American constitution was after it. But you people on this forum are prepared to throw both revolutionary forces to the dogs to satisfy your individual greed and to allow your misfortunate to die on the vine while you satisfy your selfish desires. Shame on you all.
Don't lump us all into the view, I happen to love Canada, and living in Washington I have frequently visited BC. Some of my best friends are fron Vancouver, and one of our worst enemy lives there too. He is Canadian but he owns a lot of property here, where my laid off (2yrs ago)partner worked for him 13 yrs, and not for any reason except he is an a** He raises the rent when the times are good because he says the market says so, and he raises it in the bad times to get something more while many of his property remains vacant. He makes money off of us and brings it back to build his multi-mansions in Vancouver. When we were up there for a business meeting he was kind enough to show us the new 10,000 sqft mansion and 9,000 sqft guest house he was building He didn't offer health insurance, but he gets it himself. So while I agree with most of your post, all countries have their share of of people who don't give a damn about anyone else but themselves. I just don't like the broad paint brush that is being used to paint all of us into one category or another.
To the person talking about how other countries are so much more poor, more then ours; I said this to someone else and I'll say it to you, go to the Reservations in South Dakota where you can see how 90% of my fellow Nation lives. Then hope on down to the Dine' rez (what white people call Navajo) and see how they live. I'm sure there are many other reservations that don't have Casino's that look just as bad as the two I mentioned.
WOW!!! Why is it that every time there is a discussion about poverty, someone comes up with this same type of "story" about the "slobs shopping with food stamps." And they ALWAYS seem to be able to look into their crystal ball and KNOW that this person is driving a caddy, watching a large screen tv, and playing x boxes. >>>> I never said what car they were driving, I never saw. But I did hear the kid tell his dad he wanted ear buds for his I Pod.
In the first place, I suspect most of these stories are completely made up. In the second place, they really don't have a crystal ball and for all they really know the people in their story took the bus to the store and live in a homeless shelter.>>> The busses don't run at 2 AM. I doubt 4 adults plus a child would take a cab and then have groceries besides. So they drove a car.
And, finally, people telling these type of stories have no idea of why the person is receiving food stamps. Did they work for a company that was closed down and the jobs sent overseas? Do they have a child with a serious illness that the insurance company won't cover? In this time of high unemployment is their job...the only one they can find...a minimum wage job that doesn't even cover their rent, let alone groceries? >>>> My paper did a story on a needy family who would have a hard time for Christmas. They had food stamps, assisted day care, section 8 housing( 70% rent paid) on a 2 bedroom apartment plus welfare. So help is there but so is rampant abuse. The father was nowhere around. Can't she be blamed for at least some of her problems and what she's putting her kids through? If making her beg makes her feel uncomfortable thats at least incentive to try to improve her familys situation.
The point is there are many reasons that a person could be using food stamps. But for the mean-spirited, selfish, and cruel among us, none of these reasons are considered. The ONLY reason they can see when they look through their eyes of hate is that these poor people are "lazy slobs" who should be forced to "beg" for food. God forgive them.
>>> I'll call them lazy slobs because they were riding around in scooters! I see other lazy slobs or just plain idiots riding around in them constantly. And don't say " well you don't know whats wrong with them." 2 or more young people riding in scooters shopping is being lazy. LAZY. If you're legitimately handicapped or even too heavy to get around its different. We're enabling people to be LAZY. The same goes with handicapped parking spaces. And besides, I'll bet I've donated more than many to charities. That gives me way more right to be critical than somebody who never has or has only given a few dollars here and there, once in a while.
I was specifically pointing to one family anyway.
>>> I'll call them lazy slobs because they were riding around in scooters! I see other lazy slobs or just plain idiots riding around in them constantly. And don't say " well you don't know whats wrong with them." 2 or more young people riding in scooters shopping is being lazy. LAZY. If you're legitimately handicapped or even too heavy to get around its different. We're enabling people to be LAZY. The same goes with handicapped parking spaces. And besides, I'll bet I've donated more than many to charities. That gives me way more right to be critical than somebody who never has or has only given a few dollars here and there, once in a while.
I was specifically pointing to one family anyway.
it's amazing how huffy and defensive some people get [not you, obviously] when someone points out that there are some incredibly lazy people out there who take advantage of the system by whatever means they can
I'll bet I've donated more than many to charities. That gives me way more right to be critical than somebody who never has or has only given a few dollars here and there, once in a while.
I have always wondered this myself. we all know that poverty is a choice, so why do so many chose to live in it? with all the government grants, educational opportunities, and other government programs out there, why do so many choose to do so little? show me a poor person, and I will show you a reason. unless you are physically or mentally disabled, there is no excuse for being poor.
Getting up every day, getting cleaned up, dressed, driving etc., is just soooo hard to do. Easier to be a layabout.
To believe that being poor is a choice instead of a result is the ultimate in blind arrogance.
Being poor is a result of consciously deciding NOT to do that which prevents it. In other words, it is a choice NOT to succeed. Succeeding in the USA is easy, just not effortless.
Being poor is a result of consciously deciding NOT to do that which prevents it. In other words, it is a choice NOT to succeed. Succeeding in the USA is easy, just not effortless.
I tend to agree.
I dont think anyone wakes up and says gee I think I want to be poor from now on and then quits their job.
Its more of a series of bad decisions along with lack of drive.
Obviously not in all case or even most but often enough.
I know enough people where I work that complain about upper techs and management. Got promoted on their knees etc.
Well these folks also tend to be the ones who put forth a minimum effort.
They leave work hit the bar for a few hours go home and then rail on their wives about the cold dinner.
They gamble and waste money on lottery tickets then complain when the anual cost of living adjustment wasn't high enough. They set no money away for college education for their kids and then will complain when little Joey cant go to college.
They have their bassboats and atv's the best fishing gear credit cards can buy.
Then one day they start to stop at the bar before work. They get fired.
The company sucks.
This illustrates why many are poor. A series of bad decisions, a life long habit of bad decisions.
They will whine about manager making more than they do. Blah blah blah.
Why the CEO makes so much money. Blah blah blah.
They never once stop and ask why they chose to live like an idiot.
I have folks ask me all the time. How I can afford what I have on my salary? I dont pizz my money away in bars, or on bassboats or new atv's every 3 years. I never charge toys on cc. I never finance a car more than 36 months and never buy unless I can put 50% down. I drive a vehicle for an average of 8 years. When i buy something I buy quality.
Many if not most poor people are poor due to bad decision making.
teen mothers? Well it wasn't good decision making that caused that.
Ex cons that cant get good jobs. well crime is never the good decision.
Stoners, drunks and gamblers????
Some folks say they dont want to be a slave to the company. Thats fine neither do I and I'm not. But at the same time I strive to be the very best at my job. When you really know what your doing it makes your job a lot easier. Work smarter not harder.
No money for food but always money for smokes and beer. Great decision making.
cant make the car payment but they charged a home theater system on plastic. wow.
Car insurance is too high. but they cant drive the speed limit to save their lives.
Sometimes bad things happen and the individual has no control. A company goes under, downsized, or the primary bread winner gets sick and cant work. These things happen. Sometimes no amount of planning will save you. But I doubt that is the primary reason for so many poor.
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He didn't offer health insurance, but he gets it himself. So while I agree with most of your post, all countries have their share of of people who don't give a damn about anyone else but themselves. I just don't like the broad paint brush that is being used to paint all of us into one category or another.
