Poverty now comes with a color TV

Christian Science Monitor/msn.com ^ | Jan. 5, 2006 | staff

[wouldntbprudent]

Still, by almost all measures, the data show rising well-being for all of society. And while the wealth gap may not be narrowing, the rich-poor gap in lifestyles has narrowed substantially since 1992 when measured in many of these tangible items.

"In terms of the items people have ... it amazes me the number of people who are at or near the poverty line that have color TVs, cable, washer, dryer, microwave," says Michael Cosgrove, an economist at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas. That's not to ignore the hardships of poverty, he adds, "but the conveniences they have are in fact pretty good."

[FreedomCalls]

Repost it to ImageShack so your bandwidth will be back and just post a link to the image, or post the thumbnail. That way we all can see it.

[FreedomCalls]

In some cases, that is WHY they are in poverty. Poor people often stay poor by living as if they were rich.

Asanti just announced a set of million dollar rims. They have over 12,000 diamonds set in the spokes.

[Drew68]

Frugality has made many a person rich!

Yep. Poverty isn't a financial condition as much as it is a state of mond. How many times do you see poor people driving on $4000 rims. The first time they come across any money (maybe a relative dies) they go out and blow it all!

I read a great quote that I believe rings true. If the rich people gave the poor people all of their money, in 5 years the rich would be rich again and the poor would be poor again.

[hybrid]

If there's nothing worth watching on TV and you want to better your kids, why not fill the place with used books? Show up on the last day of a library sale, and they're practically giving them away. A lot of stuff worth reading goes to the dump.

I totally agree with you. Unfortunately, our social structure has not really encouraged a lot of kids (or grownups) to become readers. Most people I know would rather shovel poop. Me, however... I take a book EVERYWHERE. :)

[R. Scott]

"In terms of the items people have ... it amazes me the number of people who are at or near the poverty line that have color TVs, cable, washer, dryer, microwave," says Michael Cosgrove, an economist at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas.

Poverty is defined as a cash income below a set level. Every year that level rises.

[Lacey]

I was flipping through a Ladies Home Journal recently and read a warm-fuzzy article about a program providing meals for pets when they delivered meals on wheels to their owners. In the first paragraph there was a reference to the recipient waiting for her dog's meal while watching her favorite TV channel, Animal Planet. Well duh, maybe if she didn't have cable TV she could afford dogfood.

[hybrid]

I rode my bike by some very low end housing developments last weekend. Noticed the following: cheap cars, laundry drying outside on lines (no dryers in the house), but a tv satellite outside every unit. Thought it was interesting.

I wonder how many of those come with the apartment; much like student housing, perhaps?

[hybrid]

I know a woman on welfare that has had those cheesy "glamor shots" done and a closet full of barbie dolls and a lot of other useless junk laying around. For being poor and not having money, she somehow knows how to spend it!

For every one person I hear that knows someone like that, I can find fifty people that are truly trying to get ahead. :( It is sad that all poor are judge by the idiocy of a few. Did you report her?

[derllak]

I didn't report her - she's hubby's sister! Yikes! It's just sad to me that her priorities are so screwed up. But you're right about judging all poor by the same standards.....people with any sense (and I include me, cuz I've been guilty!) shouldn't pidgeonhole a whole group by the actions of a few. I need to be reminded of that every now and again. Thanks for the wake up! :)

[wouldntbprudent]

See, I don't think of people who are truly trying to get ahead as "poor." They may be "poor" materially, but they are rich in wisdom and they will make their world a better place, no doubt about it.

[hybrid]

See, I don't think of people who are truly trying to get ahead as "poor." They may be "poor" materially, but they are rich in wisdom and they will make their world a better place, no doubt about it.

Now if we could just find a way to translate that into job security... *wistful* Sorry, this whole issue hits home because so many people in my family are just above the 'comfort' level. They can pay bills, and have a tiny bit in savings, but any major life-changes could be devastating.

I wonder... I should make a post and ask advice. My dad is having trouble paying for health insurance for his wife (I guess his retirement decided she wasn't covered since they wed after he retired) and the cost is outrageous. So they've both started part-time jobs while he's in his 60's and she's in her 50's. And me, I can't even afford a new(ish) car to visit them more often, much less help out. :( So frustrating.

If the 'big government' is not assisting, what should he do?

[hybrid]

Thanks for the wake up! :)

No problem. :)

I am pretty good (bad? hehe) at putting myself in other's shoes which means I drive people crazy by constantly looking at things from the opposite POV. Or, at least, I try. :) 'Course, then I just get EVERYONE mad at me!

[wouldntbprudent]

Back during the Katrina threads, there were many inspiring stories posted of people who used to be barely getting by ("poor") and how they managed to get ahead. It's probably not a bad idea to ask for advice. Seems many here have been there, done that.

[angcat]

I am a native NY er also and to tell you the truth I have never heard of these things. My co-workers here in hickville PA know more about all these designers. I am just happy with Bloomingdale’s online. My cousin works in Manhattan and she was mentioning these 1000.00 pocketbooks that her friends have and I had no idea who these designers were. Anyway her friend lives with her mother so I guess a 1000.00 bag is the most important thing for her.

[yawningotter]

This reminds me of a conversation that takes place all of the time at work. Many people are sympathetic to the shoplifters who get caught stealing expensive clothes from us. They think that the only way they can get clothes for themselves and their kids is to steal because they are so poor. That shows the mindset among many people that the poor are so hard up that they have to steal just to squeak by. Nevermind that they could go to Wal Mart, thrift stores and any number of churches to get whatever they needed if they were truly destitute. Of course, many poor people do buy the expensive stuff at full price and have the newer gadgets that I can only dream of having some day. I have been into poor people's houses, and the stuff they have is better than the stuff I have.

[R. Scott]

That shows the mindset among many people that the poor are so hard up that they have to steal just to squeak by.

I had the learning experience of living in Section 8 apartments – we weren’t on welfare, but the apartment management started accepting them to make more money. The State paid close to twice what I was paying.
I watched as women played the system. A couple months before Christmas they would send the kids to several different Churches for Sunday school. They made sure they were on the list for every advocacy group in the area. They always made out at Christmas – and not just with kids toys and clothes, they received their share too – and birthdays, special occasions – any time they could put out their hand they did.
Many still complained about being “poor”. The knew they were poor because the Social Services people continually told them so. I finally had enough of it and broke out my calculator. One woman didn’t believe me when I told her she was actually middle income. I listed what she made off Aid to Dependant Children and food stamps. That was the only “income” she noticed. I then added in the several free (taxpayer paid) cab rides she used every month for doctor’s appointments. I added in the cost of health insurance that would cover as well as Medicaid. I added in what Section 8 paid toward her rent. I added in what she earned baby setting. I added in a conservative estimate of what she received from the several churches, Salvation Army and other organizations. I did not add in what she made from selling drugs.
When I totaled it up and broke it down to an hourly wage with a 40 hour week she was shocked. She was making far better money than most construction workers and auto mechanics.
There were exceptions. My next door neighbor hated being on welfare and worked hard to get off. He refused to play the churches and other groups. She started a part time job even though it cut her Medicaid, ADC and Section 8 payments. She stuck it out until she could work full time. The last time I saw her she still wasn’t making as much as when on welfare, but she was off the dole.