The Working Poor (Living On The Edge Parts I And II)

Long Beach Press Telegram ^ | 11/12/13/2006 | Greg Mellen

[goldstategop]

A look at poverty in one American city amidst affluence. Some people have to work two or three jobs just to acquire the basics most of us take for granted. Behind the statistics is a human story.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[HisKingdomWillAbolishSinDeath]

Unchecked immigration, godless public schools, along with a culture of death, have helped to create this monster.

[goldstategop]

Most of the working poor tend to be single mothers and lack of education and job skills limit their opportunities to get ahead. That's one part of the equation. A second factor the working poor are where they are is due to jobs that don't secure a middle class existence like the old era manufacturing jobs used to do. And then there's the lack of affordable housing. The keys to escaping poverty is don't have a kid before you're married, keep learning new life and job skills throughout your lifetime and find a safe place to live. The first two are within every one's power. Housing prices are not and we really have to address that issue. The market more than government will have to play a role here and compassion for the working poor should be demonstrated through offering them chances to make their lives better so they won't have to be dependent upon public aid to eke out a meager existence. That's neither compassionate to the individuals we want to help or to the taxpayers.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Unchecked immigration, godless public schools, along with a culture of death, have helped to create this monster.

That makes no sense. Do you have the idea that there used to be no poor people?

The funny thing is that as I am reading it I am overwhelmed by what they have.

Nobody is starving. Nobody is dying of cold.

There is no "monster" here.

[goldstategop]

Just a lot of good, honest hard-working people. We're not talking about welfare queens here. They could easily be you and me.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[endthematrix]

$270 a month in food stamps (for two) is adequate.

I currently have to see my brother fall on hard times, he gambled his life savings and now has Type 1 Diabetes with complications and can't work. I had to go to the grocery store with him, and boy you do feel embarrassed!

[endthematrix]

Embarrassed in using food stamps, of course! But the navigation of available aid is difficult and I now understand the frustration. I do have little pity for those who made stupid choices that got them in that situation though.

[Godebert]

It is elderly people such as Rosalyn Jones, who owns her own home but has to spread out paying utilities through the year so she can afford heat in the winter....."

Heat in the winter? Isn't Long Beach in Southern California?

[goldstategop]

I live here. During the winter, at night, temperatures drop to the mid-40s.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Just a lot of good, honest hard-working people.

Yep.

Although Roberts says she got clean in 2003, after learning of her pregnancy, trouble still followed. She did two months in Orange County jail for cashing a stolen check. Roberts says she has since had the crime expunged from her record.

Just doing speed for years, committing felonies....

When was the last time you were in jail?

You think that maybe some of her problems might be self made? In fact pretty much all of them.

We're not talking about welfare queens here.

Uh huh.

Gray has been poor since she gave birth to her first son when she was 18.

And then went on to have 3 more all without a dad.

They could easily be you and me.

I feel for Hung but what can you do about a man who will not even try to pass a exam he has passed before to get a better job?

Would you do that? Not even try?

[jim35]

Yeah, it sucks to be poor. Pretty long article just to say that. Heck, I could post my own sob stories, so could my wife. The ones I feel sorry for are the physically and mentally handicapped, or sick and injured, who have to rely on gov't largess. The rest of 'em can do like my wife and I did... get a job, go to school on student loans, and get a better job. Don't like being poor? Physically and mentally able? This is America, land of opportunity. Do something about it, or shut the hell up.

[goldstategop]

The problem with liberalism is that's inculcated into people a mindset of sitting around waiting for others to rescue them. People are supposed to look after themselves as much as they can. But the Left wouldn't be anywhere without victims. All of these people made bad choices in life and we're supposed to feel sorry they haven't turned their life around? Uh huh. If you think we'll see an end to the cult of victimhood and an end to the culture of dependency, dream on. The Democrats will do their best to perpetuate it and make sure poverty as a national problem is never solved.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Coldwater Creek]

It does occasionally freeze in So. Calif.

There are ways to keep warm, even for the poor.

Put all of your clothes on in layers, all pile into the same bed, just suck it up.

We lived in So. Calif. for 26 years, and I would give just about anything to have one of those winters here in West Tenn.

[Paladin2]

Pelosi's fault

[goldstategop]

I thought stories like this where going to disappear now the Democrats are set to resume power. Silly me.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[jim35]

"They could easily be you and me."

Speak for yourself. Barring injury or illness, it'll never (again) be me! If the worst did occur, it would suck royally, and people in bad shape, physically or mentally, really do have something to gripe about. The rest of 'em need to get their butts in gear, if they want a better life. I sure as heck ain't handing 'em one on a silver platter.

[freeangel]

"human story"

Most of these people have "chosen" their own "story."

They have chosen to come heeere with no education. They have chosen to be unmarried. They have chosen not to care if their children are educated. I am tired of being the fall guy for other peoples bad choices. I hope the ones trying to make good choices succeed.

[Larry Lucido]

A second factor the working poor are where they are is due to jobs that don't secure a middle class existence like the old era manufacturing jobs used to do. And then there's the lack of affordable housing.

Just out of curiousity, can you point me to which 10 year period between 1900 and 2000 that was characterized by full employment, affordable housing and no working poor?

Okay, which 5-year period, then?

[goldstategop]

You can never tell about tomorrow. The job might be gone or you might get sick or have an accident. We're all literally one step away from financial ruin. We have to look to God and take care of ourselves the best we can. Freedom is hard but the rewards of it are also great. When you read these articles, you do realize even the poor don't starve to death? America was and is profoundly different in that respect from Europe. This is a bounteous land and every one gets a share in it, however small. We need to take the time to Bless America and remember people still come here because they can never have that kind of life in their former lands.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[goldstategop]

There's no such period. We've always had poverty. If there existed a magical solution to erase it, every one would have already found it. What I do know is socialism isn't the answer.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus