Do you think poor get the shaft?
By mrdprince
@mrdprince (293)
United States
October 24, 2015 8:35am CST
I keep thinking about how the government and society tend to "help" the needy. They tend to give and of course what they give is used up and they have to give again. It makes me feel that this method only tends to separate the poor from the mainstream economic system. They are outside the economic flow and so never have a real chance of enjoying what is enjoyed by those actively in the economic system.
I keep thinking of the word disenfranchised.
3 people like this
3 responses
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
24 Oct 15
I think there are many programs to help the poor, but the poor must help themselves.
if they believe in such nonsense as work smart not work hard, then they will remain in poverty cycle forever.
The way to get out of poverty is to accept help, ask for help in the form of bursary or scholarship or whatever schemes there are, and then work extremely hard in school, and at work.
@mrdprince (293)
• United States
26 Oct 15
I was raised on the principle of hard work. But some where along the work we lost the idea of "a hard day's work for a day's pay." When we shifted away from that basic idea, everything began to go downhill.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
26 Oct 15
@Raelove That's why I say that hard work must occur in both school and work.
Many of us work long hours in full time job, and still struggle to stay awake at night classes just to complete our diplomas and degrees.
Some of my classmates in both diploma program and degree programs are over 45, and they know that they have to keep up to date with skill set and qualification so that they can keep their jobs till retirement.
It is terribly hard to work and study at that age, but that's life.
@mrdprince (293)
• United States
29 Oct 15
@Raelove I try to think of a response, but your comment really says so much. It speaks volumes of truth.
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
24 Oct 15
I think the system is incredibly rigged against the poor. We are supposed to fight against poverty, but instead fight against the impoverished. Some people in desperate need are given incredibly small amounts, enabling them to only afford unhealthy food and unsuitable housing. They are not given the tools to get out of the poor cycle. There is horrible and obvious income inequality, but even more subtle rigs against the poor. The wealthy pay a lower tax rate, the wealthy are the only ones permitted to do microinvesting, even banks charge a monthly fee if you can't maintain a minimum balance. Everything is stacked against the poor, even when we have social programs in place.
@mrdprince (293)
• United States
26 Oct 15
You certainly touched on a lot of things there and we both know there is much more. Let me ask you, do you think as those with money are slowly shrinking their world in order to have it for themselves? Do you think they may be actually tightening the noose on their own throats, so tight that they may choke from it some time in the future?
@mrdprince (293)
• United States
26 Oct 15
@Raelove I just got to say something here. I chuckled when I heard last year that Gwyneth Paltrow was going to go a week living on five dollars a day. By the way, she didn't make it. I laughed because we both know how stars like her can easily starve themselves for a week just to look good. No big deal. They don't understand that it is not the amount of money, well on one hand it is, but rather the situations we have to endure along with the lack of money. Heck I can live on five dollars a day for a month, while I am residing in my mansion, in the pool, driving my fancy cars and partying with the rich. Geez...I better calm down before I get started on a rant.
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
29 Oct 15
Poor people are given a card, which looks like a credit card, to buy groceries. This does not separate them from society. Their kids are given a card to use in the school cafeteria so that their food is free. They stand in the same lines and eat with the other kids. They are given medical cards just like the one I pay for in order to receive medical services for free. They go to the same doctors I do. How are they separated? Many get college tuition for free.
Housing is an issue, but even that is covered in some places. Where I live, a set number of apartments in a regular complex are rented at a reduced rate to people who cannot afford the regular rent.
This is not enough, obviously, or we would not have poor people. But what else would you suggest?
@mrdprince (293)
• United States
29 Oct 15
I believe that all, or most, people want to earn their living because it gives a sense of self fulfillment and pride. Simply giving does not accomplish that. They do not get to actually have input into the economic system aside from the drain of money going to them. They need some mechanism to get back in the flow of things. The current work programs really do not accomplish that goal except on a very small scale. We need to start thinking outside the box so that the poor are not just a group of siphoners from outside the economic system. It is a bit hard for me to explain but I hope you can understand a little.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
29 Oct 15
@mrdprince I get it. There are two issues here, giving them the fish they need, and teaching them to fish for themselves. Both are necessary.
