Posted on 09/28/2005 6:47:53 PM PDT by ex-Texan
Got to agree with you.
America is the ONLY country in the world where poor people have cell phones, television, Air Jordans and are also fat.
Sometimes I agree with Fred, other times I don't, but Fred Reed is always a great read. I was home sick one weekend when I found his site, and ended up spending hours reading all of his old archives.
Poor is a choice in the US.
When WW2 came my grandfather went to war. It was only then that my mom and her brother had food and clothing, as my grandmother wa allowed to get a job. That was short lived when Granddad came home from war, and continued the drinking, and sired two more boys.
I asked my mom once, why they didn't go on Welfare? Her answer was amazing given today's poor. "No proud person went on Welfare. That was for the lowest of life. We felt sorry for those people," she said.
My mom was a straight “A” student, and was voted most popular in her school her senior year. Due to lack of money she couldn't go to college as some of her cousins were able to do. So she went to work in a hosiery mill, and then a year or so later met my dad.
My dad had a similar upbringing, in that his mom and dad were alcoholics and divorced when he was 7-8. My dad's father's family did have money, but he lived with his mom in poverty. Back then child support was a joke to non-existent. His father was a building contractor, his mom worked as a fry cook. When my dad was 16 he lied about his age and enlisted in the army and was sent to Korea. When he came home, his mom was remarried to another building contractor, and my dad finished high school and worked for him full time too. My parents met while my dad was on leave from the Army. They married a year later when he was discharged. He worked for his step father after graduating, and 2 years later when he was 20, took over the business. At that time my mom quit her job to help my dad.
They were determined to make something out of their lives. It took many years of trial and error, but my dad built an extremely successful business, and now my parents are enjoying retirement, happy, and wealthy.
I know this is not a unique story, and many people born in the 1930's had some of the same experiences, but I am so proud of my parents and what they overcame to be where they are today.
My parents have always been generous in helping other families in need. They do it within their community, when they hear of a family down on their luck (not by their own choice). My parent's do this anonymously.
One last thing…. a story that always brings tears to my eyes. When I was about 6 years old a family moved in across the street. They had just come from Poland. It was a mother and her children. Her husband was stuck in Poland at the time and wasn't allowed to leave with them. They were so poor and so sad. I remember at Christmas we bought a tree and decorated it. (the mother had told my mother she couldn't afford one) My mom bought loads of toys and wrapped them, and bought a few outfits of clothes for the kids and the mom. In the middle of the night on Christmas Eve, my dad went over and set up the tree with all the gifts around it on the porch, and never told them about it! The father eventually was allowed to come the U.S. The parents have since died, but the children have all become very successful. Two are Physicians, and the other Two hold their Doctorates in Art and are accomplished artists and teach at highly regarded universities.
That is one of the many things they have done over the years. I know there are 1000's of people out there with a similar story, and I thank anyone who helps genuinely deserving families achieve their dreams!
I am writing this to say, anyone that has a desire, can achieve, just as you have said in the original post.
Many, many thanks for your wonderful, heartfelt message.
Excellent post!
You're Welcome! I am just so proud of people (including my parents) who remember where they came from and try to help others achieve success!
Thanks for a wonderful story. My family has stories like that, as they were "shanty" Irish, and everything they had and have now they worked for, and worked HARD.
My parents and grandparents generations were amazing people. We just don't grow them like that anymore. It's sad. "Sacrifice" is now against the law, it seems. So many people these days don't respect what they have, and have been given, it has no value to them.
true that
Yes, we do. There are still extraordinary people around. Some of them are immigrants, some are Americans by birth. And a lot of them are over fighting in Iraq today.
In the neighborhood there was probably 5% working poor and 95% welfare poor. Everyone knew which group everyone else was in.
Today I occassionally see some of the 5% around town with their wives and kids. They are working, making an ok living, worrying about things like the kid's orthodonture and property taxes.
Those from the 95% I frequently see in "Day in Court" or the "Births" section of the paper where they are being sentenced or having children out of wedlock.
IMHO, it is not so much being poor that decides your fate as what kind of poor.
You're right, and may God bless them!
Exactly! That is what keeps this country going!
My husband's story is similar. His parents were Ellis Island immigrants from Italy.
Capriole has it right.. our Military proves these people do exist and are still here!
God Bless our Troops and our first responders (Police, Firefighters) here in the US!!!
He even touched on something deeper. (Boys are a little different.)
Naw, the feminists liberal (what do you call them) "ologists" say that girls and boys are the same, and can be raised equally by the same gender. Discounting what a DAD brings to the upbringing...or mom for that matter.
"We just don't grow them like that anymore."
I agree with you ascertains. However it was having been thrust into unforgiving times that branded them their moniker. The Great Depression and WW2 IMO is nothing compared to today. We are spoiled.
The guys at the front still have the same walk as any soldier, but our great country has shielded civilians from the burdens of past hardships. We as citizens should be grateful rather than protesting. How sad Cindy and Co. can't be grateful at the times. Her followers are being led to to become slaves of the Islamists.
Sometimes it does take a great cataclysm to bring out the strength in one's character. The people in the Greatest Generation had to face the Depression and World War II, and today we don't have challenges of that magnitude. The modern people who display strength and courage are only those who are either serving in the military or have individual catastrophes to struggle through. But there are many people out there who have guts, strength, and nobility of mind. If some holocaust ever visits this country, which God forbid, you will see these people stand up.
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