Posted on 12/03/2008 11:32:42 AM PST by AngryCapitalist
There it is. I have uttered those words so contemptible in modern society that the mere allusion to such a sentiment is beyond reproach. Please forgive me, but I no longer have the patience to deal with those who wish to remain mired in the lowest depths of the social order. Are there not means available to these people who perpetually contend for the scraps from the table of those of those who actually contribute to the betterment of our world? This is not to say that I have no compassion for those who are infirmed, whether it be in a mental capacity or those suffering permanent injury to their persons, or those who, now beset by the ravages of old age have fallen into poverty. No, it is not these poor souls of which I am speaking of when I condemn the poor, it is those amongst this division of society who crave not advancement or a better life for themselves but are content to permanently siphon wealth from the upper reaches of the ladder. These dregs are, in my opinion, to be held in the highest form of contempt...
More At: http://www.hostileopposition.blogspot.com
(Excerpt) Read more at hostileopposition.blogspot.com ...
That argument doesn’t fly at all, and is really a poor attempt. There is no caste system int he USA, and it’s exactly for that reason that this article makes a lot of sense. Anyone in the country (adults) who WANTS to get out of poverty CAN. Anyone who wallows in poverty does so at their own choosing.
I know people way smarter than i am who make less. I also know people far dumber than I am who make more. Some of it is “luck” but most of it is perseverance.
“Poor” people are poor because they have chosen to be that way, not because of any “caste” system. That’s why your argument is fatally flawed.
Alcoholism is, and always will be, and addiction in my book. Our government classified it as a disease because its repleat with drunks - see Teddy Kennedy.
Someone like that is not necessarily "terminally poor" though, and can work out of it. I suspect the writer is referring more to the pertetual victim types, like urban generational welfare recipients.
I hope the author allows an exception for those who are poor, but working and not asking for a hand out.
Are there not means available to these people who perpetually contend for the scraps from the table of those of those who actually contribute to the betterment of our world?
Yes, for many, but not for all. The problem is, there are so many who COULD work hard and better themselves, they ruin it for those who are doing their best but can't get out of the pit without help.
I thought you summed it up pretty well. :)
Fair point.
“They are the ones you see putting things back at the register.”
Don’t be manipulated or fooled. My grandparent was notorious for loading her cart up with groceries only to have the cashier clerk remove items after my grandmum discovered she did not bring enough cash. My grandparents owned a piece of property with a large house sitting on it worth over a million dollars.
Some people just need to learn how to budget before walking into the store and grabbing items off the shelf.
Actually, I pretty much agree with this 100%. In fact, just this morning, I was watching the Jim Robison program and I was deeply touched by the starving children in Africa. Then, it occurred to me: wouldn’t it be nice if we could get the lazy slobs in this country who would rather get welfare than get a job off their lazy butts and instead give even half the money we spend on welfare on those poor starving kids? Since so many of those on welfare voted for Obama, maybe he can convince them to get a job and free up the money for those in Africa that really need it.
This might not be the best time to agitate for getting kicked out of seminary school.
You are a dope.
But, I get your point. And agree with it.
FReegards,
H-T
“At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.”
“Are there no prisons?” asked Scrooge.
“Plenty of prisons,” said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
“And the Union workhouses?” demanded Scrooge. “Are they still in operation?”
“They are. Still,” returned the gentleman, “I wish I could say they were not.”
“The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?” said Scrooge.
“Both very busy, sir.”
“Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,” said Scrooge. “I’m very glad to hear it.”
“Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,” returned the gentleman, “a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?”
“Nothing!” Scrooge replied.
“You wish to be anonymous?”
“I wish to be left alone,” said Scrooge. “Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned—they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there.”
“Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.”
“If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
Hell man, I’d call that scum too. However, I’ve never actually seen a poor person who lived so well. I’ve seen poverty and it didn’t look anything like that.
HOORAH!
I don’t really accept the very idea of ‘Poor’.
I’m a fan of Hernado DeSoto, author of the book, The Third Way.
He pointed out that even in Egypt, the poor held an estimated 20-30 billion dollars in capital, and perhaps many times more.
The first and foremost capitalistic property is one’s body. From that springs all capital. No body, no capital. No people, no capital.
After reading Desoto, and American James Buchanan and what he received his Nobel award in economics, Public Choice, the two illustrated that bureaucracies of all types are the major beneficiaries of so-called poverty, and that political elites need poverty to justify the mistaken remedy, beauocracy, which is really a mechanism for the political elite to become rich.
Whether it is four thousand year old Egyptian Pharaoh bureaucracy, or 1943 Nazi bureaucracy, 1975 Soviet, or modern EU/American. It is the same.
The saviors, are the exploiters.
We can see this right now, where the wealthiest workers in the financial and auto industries are exploiting political power to have money come to them at the expense of the working class and small to medium businesses.( I leave out the paid voting army known as the welfare class, a.k.a, the rabble, mob ).
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