Fighting Poverty, Bush Style
It seems the Bush administration's policy of tax cuts for the rich has had it's desired effect. It has made rich people richer. Meanwhile in 2004, 1.1 more Americans now live in poverty. Does anyone else agree that this may indicate trickle down economics isn't working? Before you say that's because of illegal immigration, it isn't. The gains are largely attributed to non-Hispanic whites. That brings the total number of citizens living in poverty to more than 37 million or 1 in 9 people. Is that acceptable?
posted by mochi at 7:25 AM
11 Comments:
Have any idea at what income the poverty rate is set at?
Need a little more input on your last sentence, Mochi.
-Jack
OK I removed the last sentence. Yeah I do know what the poverty rate is set at. For a family of 4 the limit is $19,000 or $365 per week. You think that's a lot of money?
Coming from a missionary family of 8 with a father that made 1/2 of that (even adjusted for inflation and price indexing) I would have to say...
YES!
-Jack
I also know many on social security (which is even less) who do splendidly. As my father used to say, "its not how much you make but how you manage it"
Keep in mind, Mochi, my viewpoint may be a little skewed on the matter. I have witnessed true poverty and so I am a little jaded with the American view. (which may be a deficit on my part). Also, I know that these people have a lot more benefits than just their income. Medicaid, food stamps, etc. I do have a heart for the truly helpless, but those are few and far between.
As my father used to say, "its not how much you make but how you manage it"
Pops Mercer was right on that one. Just look at NBA players. By the time their careers are over, they have squandered all of their millions. It is making the most of what you got, and I admire when people can do that. I have yet to instill in myself enough discipline- God bless my parents for their patience and not giving up over the years- I am getting there and some day I will overcome. Regardless of how much how little, if you are fiscally responsible, in the long run I cannot help but think you would turn out alright. The opportunities to benefit from such discipline are there.
Hey!
I figured I would one-up Shea and go ahead and post his next article!
News Snipet 'Blog: PRESIDENT BUSH
Ok, bad joke. Just kidding.
-Jack
Jack, you choose to ridicule me now? I thought we had gotten past that. Great. I get that a lot of that lately, and frankly, anyone who ridicules or insults me is saying that it is okay to do the same to them, should I so choose.
I understand the post to which you linked was intended to be humorous, but the information that I post regarding the Bush administration is no joking matter. They FUCKING KILL AND MAIM PEOPLE AND COMMIT MASS DESTRUCTION ON A GLOBAL SCALE FOR THEIR OWN PROFIT and those of you who support him facilitate that.
Now, as for your cavalier attitude about the poor. I spend a lot of time with the poor. They do not "do splendidly". They do without. For the working poor, it is even worse. One example is that they cannot afford health care but do not qualify for assitance, so they do without health care. You think that is fine; I don't. In the greatest country in the world, people do without food and healthcare.
Also, your statement that the poor are just fine because they can get "medicaid, food stamps, etc." is such a typical red-state cop-out: to decry social programs while exploiting them as the answer to poverty (and let me say again that the blue states pay the lions share of taxes while the red states use the lions share of welfare). Finally: in California, unless you are a child or elderly, you do not qualify for food stamps unless you are working, so if you are unable to work, then you do not get the food stamps (and don't give me that "jobs are available for anyone that wants them" b.s., because in many community that is simply not true).
Shea, was only joking, Man! Really. Just being funny in my weird sort of way. Drop by and make fun of me anytime, my friend--laughing at myself is what I do best! :)
Also, I know you see a lot. I saw a lot of poverty when I was doing social work also. I saw many cases though, where sympathy enabled and tough love prevailed. There was many a case I spoke to the individual while denying their case(and I have dozens of letters from those individuals thanking me for giving them the boost they needed) empowering them through their own will to do better. Poverty is more in the head than in the pocketbook, Shea, especially in this great nation, and sympathy/empathy has done little to alleviate it. One can be sympathetic all day long, hand out money, and destroy the very individuals we are pledged to help.
Apologize for getting you upset. I should be a little more sensitive.
-Jack
Shea,
A parting shot. You blue state people are paying $3.00 or more a gallon for gas now because of disaster in a couple red states...
-Jack :)
Finally: in California, unless you are a child or elderly, you do not qualify for food stamps unless you are working, so if you are unable to work, then you do not get the food stamps
You are not allowed a social service designed to assist the poor if you are not working? That sounds ridiculous. Maybe because it is.
From the California Department of Social Services Foodstamp FAQ's:
Who can receive food stamp benefits?
You may be eligible to receive food stamp benefits, whether or not you work, if you have a low income.
Sean, that phrase "may be" is a broad brush. Other things factor in, like age, disability, etc. But to get the food stamps if you are able-bodied and in a certain age range you have to be working or participating in a work-related program. I see people apply for food stamps and get denied because they don't meet the employment criteria. It's weird but that's how it works. Homeless? No food stamps for you!
Thanks, Jack, and I also apologize to you for letting my temper get the better of me (again). All I can say is, the scenario for job acquisition by the poor is different in smaller and rural communities; jobs are truly scarce, and when Mr. Manager from KMart is choosing between a perky 17-year-old fluff bunny who drives a sports car her daddy bought her, and a world-weary midlifer with thriftstore clothes who has to walk across town to get to work, you know who he'll probably hire. I understand your point about poverty being in the head (internal forces, attitude, etc), but the things that seem more difficult to overcome are the external forces (real-life hiring issues, food & clothing acquisition, etc). And somewhere in the middle, as you probably saw in your experience, is the internal but not-really-their-fault problem of people who have serious mental issues.
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