Posted on 07/20/2011 6:32:21 AM PDT by shortstop
Poverty rose significantly in America last year.
That’s what the government says.
Common sense, however, says something different.
Common sense says that, compared to the standard of history and the rest of the world, there is no poverty in America.
Don’t shoot me yet.
I’m not saying people don’t have it hard. I’m not saying people don’t have financial catastrophes. I’m not saying there isn’t an economic underclass. I’m not saying people don’t go to bed wondering where they’re going to find the money they need.
I know about financial hard times.
And I know about doing without.
But I don’t think there is poverty in America.
Not true poverty.
Face it, most of our poor people are fat. And have cable TV.
And a cell phone, with customized rings. And a bed and a roof and inside plumbing and a benefits card to keep the refrigerator filled.
Poor people in America can afford cigarettes and beer, or marijuana. Poor people in America get the best health care in the world.
That all may sound like an unfair indictment of the poor, or as some insensitive screed, but the simple fact is that, no matter how hard things get, nobody in America needs to go to bed hungry or go to bed outdoors.
Many do, but mostly it is because of their own choices or incompetence or because of the neglect of their parents. Services and benefits are available to all, from the government and from charities, and those who end up going without are usually those who have squandered their opportunities or allotments.
Compared to what our ancestors knew, or what the rest of the world faces, American poverty is a walk in the park. Poor people in America live better than hundreds of millions of people in nations around the globe. They have not only the necessities, but many of the luxuries of life.
And yet there is great discontent, as entitlement has replaced gratitude and extravagance has become a right. We see suffering where there truly is none and identify poverty where it doesn’t truly exist.
The question is: Why?
The answer is that poverty, as we define it, has become a powerful tool for social engineers and politicians. Specifically, it is the lever being used to push our country into socialism.
By broadly and incorrectly declaring poverty, activists attack our economic system from the top and from the bottom. By creating the perception of poverty, they give themselves an argument for more social welfare programs. By pointing at the supposedly impoverished, they make the argument for expanded government compassion.
That increases the load on taxpayers and hastens the transfer of wealth from those who produce to those who don’t produce. It creates the social expectation – contrary to our national tradition – that the poor have claim on the resources of the non-poor.
By doing this, the concept of individual property rights is eroded. If money is the means of acquiring property, and increased amounts of money can be taxed to support the poor, then the possession of property is substantially jeopardized. And a fundamental American freedom is endangered.
Broadly defining poverty also creates class envy and division, which is the engine of socialism. Increasing the number of people who see themselves as poor increases the constituency for more entitlement programs or policies. It also fosters anger on the part of the supposedly impoverished, which creates social instability.
As poverty grows, so does the government. As taxation rises, freedom falls.
Both dangerous trends are encouraged by our mistaken concept of poverty. It seems like a minor matter, just one more government statistic, but it is a major thread in the spider’s web that entangles our national liberties.
Certainly, times can be hard. Money can be exasperating. Bankruptcy and economic failure are real. Many families struggle throughout their lives with money issues.
But nobody said life would be free of struggle.
And nobody should think that the difficulties faced by the poorest of Americans are anything like the daily reality of millions around the globe.
Who would be offended if you told them they were poor.
[Because We have discovered that We can vote ourselves largesse from the public treasury.]
Exactly. The poverty is very real, we just haven’t gotten the bill yet.
Your state legislature must have passed a law similar to ours to make plastic water bottles recyclable with a five cent deposit? Now our state legislature is considering a new law to make it illegal to water your lawn with bottled water just to get the empty bottles to cash in for cigs & beer!!
Unintended consequences strikes again!!
I meant tap water. (Clean potable water is so ubiquitous/cheap that nobody is surprised at non-potable usage.)
What’s pathetic is I believe you.
While I agree that our “poor” is not as bad as say, Ethopia “poor”... I don’t quite buy the argument “Well, at least we aren’t third world! Yay! Be Thankful!”
A big part of this article is missing that opportunity is not quite what it was since the last century. Regulation stifles more entrepreneurship than anything and until that is under control, we will continue to decline.
Rich people love socialism because it locks out their competition.
Quit spamming FR threads.
If America is so poor why are the poor (and not so poor) fat? I mean really obese?
The answer, we have no idea what poor means in this country, at least 99.9% percent don’t anyway ...
Does that account for one person supporting others? or should I divide my income by 4?
To answer your question, have you been in a public school cafeteria lately?
Never thought of that.
The exercise is for a charity fundraiser.
We look at pictures of these homeless people and feel sorry for them. However, in many ways those children are luckier and turn out better/happier than the spoiled kid of today with an ipad but no manners.
___________________________________________________________________
This is what poverty looked like in the Great Depression…
This is what poverty looks like today…
The Economics of Obesity: Why are Poor People Fat? By Jon Herring
The author of this piece makes a claim that reason the poor are fat and obese is because they can purchase more calories for less money by buying junk food.
I don't totally buy that.
It isn't a question of a lack of "nutrition education" either.
There is a far deeper, and larger question at play, one that very few people want to bridge.
It is this: does a lack of immorality contribute to poverty?
"As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed."
Proverbs 26:14
Sometime, people find themselves in dire economic circumstances that are no real fault of their own. However, in many cases, it is true that it is someones OWN BEHAVIOR and choices that gets them there.
The same is true for what, and how, you eat.
God is not mocked. You reap what you sow.
You look like your lifestyle sometimes. If you are an alcoholic, a drug addict, or addicted to junk food, your appearance will reflect that. Similarly, if you are lazy, ill mannered, or irresponsible, you are most likely to end up poor.
My grandmother used to say: "Poor people have poor ways."
Those type of phrases are not uttered anymore. The media and Democrats lie to us, and tell us that the "rich" are immoral, but all poor are these moral super humans who are really saints.
That isn't what God teaches. We are all sinners, and need His grace. But, what you do affects what you become.
"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10
“Being broke is a temporary economic situatio. Being poor is much more permanent because it is a state of mind.”
Excellent observation that I will certainly remember.
It just depends on where we are in the election/tax cycle when the Democrats are in control. The election is a ways off? Man, we’re broke and need more tax money. Close to elections? Happy days are here again! Look at all the wealth us democrats have given you!
It’s like school levy/board elections. Not close to school board elections? The kids are dumber than donuts so we really need that levy money. Close to regular elections? The kids are brilliant!
Utter malarkey.
Rice Jasmine 50 lbs $32.57
No costco stores in urban poverty areas...no Pathmark or Wegmans...not every American has the same options or mobility as you and I.
Snarky.....
We all know why stores close down, move out or bypass these areas.
Then some Americans shouldn't run every business out of their neighborhoods through crime and litigation, and some Americans shouldn't suck dry those other Americans who have been subsidizing their transportation.
It's quite a lousy parasite that kills its host.
sounds like southeastern PA
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