One man makes a six-figure income (we'll say $120k). He is up every day at 5am so he can beat the rush hour traffic into the city. He usually gets home around 7pm, rushed through dinner and then spends an hour or so catching up on emails. More than 40% of his income is taxed and each year his tax burden is more. 15% of his pay goes into his 401(k) plan so that he will not be a burden on others when he finally does retire - hopefully when he's 67. He has to find a way to fund his children's education on his own - no help from the government when you are considered so "wealthy." He pays full price for everything yet throughout his entire life, he is made to feel guilty for being so successful although he constantly worries how he will keep all those balls in the air if he ever lost his job.
The other man has been out of work for years. After a string of mostly dead-end jobs, he hit the "jackpot" when he injured himself at work. He's been on disability since even though he gets around just fine and belongs to a gym club. His typical day is spent relaxing around the house. Mostly TV and video games while still in his sweatpants. He owns a high-end TV set and the latest gaming consoles. The highlight of his existence is when the SSI checks show up in his mailbox. He has a girlfriend who has two kids by him but she lives separately so that she can "maximize" her welfare and food stamp benefits. This man has no worries about supporting his kids or himself, the government is providing just fine.
So again, who is living in poverty here?
Let’s not forget tattoos.
My 47 year-old son is the first example and my 50 year-old daughter is the second, Thankfully she has no children but the rest fits. Everything she gets is free. I figured she would have to earn 48,000 a year to duplicate what she has. Why work?
Both have college degrees. I rationalize that my son and I are paying taxes to support her. Doesn’t make us feel better about it.