Explain that to these people:
Posted on 08/27/2004 9:27:18 AM PDT by NotchJohnson
Get out your hanky...it's time once again to feel sorry for all of the supposed Americans "living in poverty." The Census Bureau reported yesterday that the number of Americans living in poverty has risen. As a matter of fact, they are saying that 35.8 million people are now living below the poverty line. On top of that, they're now saying 12.9 million children are living in poverty. Quick...we must elect The Poodle! How can this be allowed to stand! Wait a minute! Forget The Poodle ... let's rush Hillary in there! She cares so much about the children! More money must be confiscated from those that earned it in order to "lift people out of poverty." Nonsense.
Actually, the truth is, there is no poverty in America. If you get beyond the biased media's hysterical headlines, let's apply a little common sense. First of all, according to the government, you could have a net worth of over ten million dollars, own two houses, have three cars and because you only earned a few thousand dollars in income last year, you would be living in poverty. Does Terreeeeza Heinz-Kerry draw a salary? Maybe she's living in poverty too.
It's a fact, folks. When the government measures poverty they're only concerned with paychecks, not with what you have already earned. The government doesn't look at your bank accounts, your balance sheets or that jewelry hanging around your neck. Only your paychecks.
Let's say you are a remarkably successful stock broker. You decide to take a year off and travel the country in your $800,000 Blue Bird Wanderlodge motor home. Guess what? For that year, our government says you're "living in poverty."
Why is it so? It started back during the LBJ "Great Society" years. Johnson wanted to create a method of measuring poverty that would provide a continued excuse for expanding the scope and nature of Johnson's war on poverty programs. That method of measuring poverty -- by only counting income -- is still alive today, and it is still being used by government hacks as a reason for ever more government and ever more government spending.
The average American defined as "poor" by the federal government enjoys a higher standard of living than the average European; not the average poor European ... the average European. It's a scam, folks. A scam to enable more government. If a person has a roof over their head, food in their cupboard, a television set, a washer and dryer, a microwave, air conditioning and a car. Sorry folks, but that ain't poverty. Just more leftist fantasies and imagined "emergencies" designed to create the need for more government. With very rare exception, there is not a single person living in so-called "poverty" in America whose own decisions have not led to their situation.
Poverty is a choice. It's a behavioral disorder. Poverty, my friends, is a mental disease.
Ok, so a room costs $12/day where you live - if you can't afford it, don't live there! I'm living in a 3-bedroom ranch house on two acres with great scenery for $20/day - so why am I compelled to support someone choosing to live in an overpriced room costing nearly as much? Half the world's population lives on less than $2/day - so why am I compelled to support people living >20x better than half the world? Yes some places are expensive to live in - instead of forcing me to support such luxury, go rent a U-Haul and move somewhere affordable!
I'm not being heartless. Poverty does exist, and some truly do need help. Please do make a reality check, and do not use the label "poverty" on a standard of living which half the world considers "luxury". A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but calling it dung will just get you funny looks.
See #35 above.
The "poverty line" for a family of four is $12/day/person.
The "poverty line" for a childless non-elderly single adult is $16/day/person.
So much for "for the children".
Walk into any emergency room, and most doctor's offices. If you look carefully, you'll see a sign indicating everyone will be treated regardless of ability to pay.
Explain that to these people:
Many parts of the country are expensive to live in. If one can't afford it, don't live there. I sure don't live in NYC or LA or ... precisely because I can't afford it. Why should I be compelled to support those who do choose to live where I can't afford to?
$21,424/year is $58/day. I'm paying $20/day for my rather comfortable country home with acreage.
Defined as ... ?
The point of much of this thread is that "poverty" has been defined way too far up. The definition needs reworking. Yes there certainly is poverty - but it sure isn't $12/day.
That would be so funny, would send it to Canadian relatives.
To be honest with you, I don't give a crap about Africa. When they start activing liked civilized people to one another, they can begin to improve thier conditions.
Very true, it seems poor people would not have sex because my, my thats how come we have poor kids. It's sorta like, ok I am poor and I can't feed myself, but I am going to commit an act that brings even another mouth to feed on the scene.
It was over 15 million when clinton was President. Not a peep from the media.
We have poor children because poor people have sex.
We will take hundreds of appointment calls today. Not one of them will be turned away because of an inability to pay. We are a privately owned, for profit group of surgical specialists.
LOL!
Unprotected sex.
P&W:
I come from Guatemala. which is just north of El Salvador and South of Mexico. And you are absolutely right, the poor in our country are beyond rich by comparison. In the US you don´t see children beggin in the street or eating at a landfill, sharing with the vultures. In the US there is a wooden of linoleum floor even in run-down slums and not a dirt floor. There is running water, not a nearby river. Children are expected to live beyond their fifth birthday and go to school. None of this is true in poor areas in Guatemala. We are indeed blessed in the US, so I firmly believe anyone who lives here should shut up and stop whining!!!!
Not sure what rent is right around here. I did pay about $15/day for a 2-bedroom apartment in the city. But why rent when you can own better for less? or buy something comparable outright? A $30K house (ain't much, but infinitely better than a cardboard box, and probably bigger than an apartment) with a 30-year mortgage would only be about $5/day.
Not sure what rent is right around here. I did pay about $15/day for a 2-bedroom apartment in the city. But why rent when you can own better for less? or buy something comparable outright? A $30K house (ain't much, but infinitely better than a cardboard box, and probably bigger than an apartment) with a 30-year mortgage would only be about $5/day.
Yes, you're missing something. People CAN get FREE medical treatment. It's not official; it's done sorta off-the-books, a write-off. Each case is handled quietly, the patient pays to their ability as something can be reasonably worked out.
Problem is that many do-gooder busybodies are screaming for official free medical care, not content that it's already there in the background. This forces a quiet kindness to become an open massive bureaucracy, taking a willing burden and making it an unwilling one.
The goose is laying golden eggs. Don't wreck it by demanding a dissection.
If they plead financial hardship such that they cannot pay a dime -- and we believe them -- we write it off. We take all of them on a case by case basis and try to treat them by the Golden Rule.
We run a profitable business.
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