This is pathetic for the US...

50 poorer people !

Those who got the tax breaks...

This is one of those quotes where I read it and I can't help thinking "damn that would go great on a T-shirt".

But what do we do about it? When we offer them the ability to NOT be poor and they refuse it (free education is one of the most obvious ways out of "poverty", not to mention free birth control) what then? Because THAT is the situation, it's NOT that the government isn't helping..........

True - those who don't pay taxes don't get tax breaks

very true Sherie, there shouldn't be any suffering but at the same time the laziness that some of these "poor" people possess is quite disgusting as well.

Being from a "3rd world" country and living thru poverty that 99% of North America couldn't imagine or even live thru, part of me doesn't have as much sympathy for the "poor" of america compared to the "poor" of Thailand(just an example)

I hear ya and I have no sympathy or empathy for the lazy. None at all. I am talking about the legit poor that are working off min. wage etc. Lazy fucks can get off their lazy asses and work just like the rest of everyone else. I feel more for the children myself.

I too feel more empathy for the "poor" in third world countries, hence, why there should be no poor in the US and Canada and other 1st world countries/nations.

I don't know what we can do about it, I know what I can do to help. I am not just talking about the mentally ill here, they are just a percentage of the problem. I know that I would rather be part of the solution then part of the problem. That's why in winter time I'm gonna suit up and bring food and blankets out to those that are in need, that's what I am going do about it.

Poor people are working class too. The governments can start off by perhaps raisinig min. wage etc., there are plenty solutions out there, they just have to have bleeding hearts implement them!

I once used a government-sponsored agency to get back on my feet. There are actually plenty of programs out there, many that even specifically target single moms on welfare, to get them some education and training and get them back into the workforce to be a productive member of society.

My story: Back in '97 I sustained a workplace injury. I filed for worker's comp, and in the next few months while waiting for my claim to go through I began thinking I might not be physically able to return to my old job. So, I began looking around, and sure enough I found an ad in the local community paper that said simply "Free Job re-training/Job-re-entry Program".... I called them to ask if it had anything to do with computers, as at that time I knew nothing about them and was interested in going that route.

That program, largely as I said designed to help get people off of welfare an back into the workforce, accepted me right away. I told them "Hey look, I'm not on welfare, but once my compo runs out I might very well end up on it, why not help me out now and solve the problem before it starts?"

I found this program to be excellent. It is where I developed all my basic computer skills, was able to get myself a work-experience position at a local ISP, and from that was able to see their in-house webmaster in action.... and the rest as they say is history.

However, not all in that program can claim as much success as I can. I've kept in touch with several of the people from there and I can tell you that only a few had the drive and determination and COMMITMENT needed to get themselves self-supporting again. Out of the 30-odd people in that program at that time I would say less than ten made something of themselves. The others are still on welfare sucking the government's tit.

One girl got a great opportunity with a florist shop..... and within 2 weeks had blown it by her own counter-productive attitude. Another woman was able to qualify for health care aid training and got herself a good job in a local hospital, only to hook up with a 3-time loser and end up blowing that job down the crapper in less than a year. SHE is now in a shelter for battered women and again back to square one. Two other guys and two more women that I know from that course all had high hopes and talked a good game but are now, 7 years later, still on welfare.

And there was one immigrant from Guatemala, this guy used to be a milk factory worker. He came into the program not asking for much, just a chance to do here what he was doing down there.... and he worked his ass off, and lo and behold he made it happen for himself.... they guy was nearly in tears when he was told he'd been accepted to a local dairy, as he had a wife and 3 small kids to be responsible for. He is still in that job to this day.


I don't see where the government "is not doing enough"..... and definitely handouts aren't the answer either. The programs are available, and FREE to anyone who wants to make something of themselves. There are simply a large number of people in society who choose to be where they are (at the bottom), who love to accept that welfare cheque every month and just exist. Period. Handouts only enable people like that to keep ripping the system. Your donation money would better serve society by you giving it to a local animal shelter, at least animals are smart enough to drink when you lead them to water.

Excellent post, CD!!

Thanks. I have one in me every few months.

For all the talk about lazy people the fact is that the administration plans to cut 16 billion from medicaid over the next 10 years and there are hundreds of thousands of seniors losing prescription drug coverage within the next month or so. My 85 year old aunt loses hers October 1. She is a widow and her only source of income is SSI.

If she's 85 she has LONG since gotten back what she and/or her husband paid into the SSI system which is WHY there are cut backs.

That doesn't solve her problem (better planning would have though - none of my grandparents or parents were/are dependent on SSI and I don't plan to be either) but it's the fact. People are spending SSI they never earned and it's sucking the system dry,

couldn't agree with you more

Amazing how some people think here ... mainly when you know in which business they operate ...

Meanwhile, this great economy of this country will not honour its promises...:

Will just add to the " poorer " ....

BTW, I am an US corporation. I pay taxes and didn't get any break... even tough I am not ( in the US ) in the upper class...

So the typical phrase is nice sounding but not accurate... Middle class pays most of the taxes in the US.

Not one social program that the Gov. has or had has solved one social problem.

And that's a fact.

If you're a Subchapter S Corp and you're truly not in the "upperclass" then did you not get a rebate tax check a few years ago?

I'm not sure what you call "middle class" but:

"IRS statistics for 2000 show that returns showing less than $15,000 in adjusted gross income amounted to 30 percent of total returns filed but accounted for less than 1 percent of tax paid. By contrast, although they made up only 2 percent of all taxpayers that year, taxpayers reporting $200,000 or more in adjusted gross income paid 45 percent of all federal income taxes."

I think the subject is not about why there is poverty. The question is why is it getting worse.

Why is America backpadelling?

In other words, politicians have continuously promised more and more to the "poor" people of this country hoping to get their vote. Now it is becoming impossible to fulfill these obligations.

If you want a home, and food, and cars, and cable TV, then fucking work for it like other people. Sure, there are people who fall into situations that are unexpected, and tough. That is when they should take advantage of all the "freebies" this country offers. Use these tools to better yourself, and get to a self-supportive state. But it pisses me off to no fucking end to see some lazy fat ass bitch with twenty kids in the grocery store, driving a beamer, and paying for her steaks with food stamps.

I think if you are on welfare, you should not be allowed to keep having children. Period. You want more kids? Find a way to support them....I don't want to. If you CONTINUE to keep having children that you cannot support, then they should be taken away from you.

Unless you live in Canada where the government "borrows" from the plan and then proceeds to say that when my generation gets up there and it's time to collect there will be nothing left (well not in those exact words, but we can read between the lines). I am certainly not relying on anything from the government when it's that time, but it would be nice to know that there's something there if need be. I have been paying into it for at least 17years now and I am no where near retiring age!

That's what's happening here, but they're running out of money to "borrow". And if you read through this board, many want the government to take the money away from the military to cover this. Though in the same breath they want soldiers to make MORE money........

You're supposed to be happy knowing your taxes are currently going towards taking care of those who on social security now - like most taxes, it's basically forced donating

I do agree with 12clicks to an extent. This does put things in perspective. When we talk about the poor in the US we're talking about people that are well fed and live a relatively comfortable life compared to most of the world. I'm not sure if his stats are correct regarding 41% having a house with 3 bedrooms, but I do know that poor or rich, just about everybody has a surplus of food, cable tv, computer, and so on. Sometimes we exaggerate the conditions in America when all in all, it's the best whether you're poor or rich.

I suppose we just have to keep an eye out to ensure that the disparity doesn't get so great that it actually does begin to fall back into pre 1920 conditions.

Anyway, good discussion.

I also believe people from the south should not be allowed to keep their kids just for the simple fact they are the dumbest motherfuckers on the face of the planet.

Here is your dream come true
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=38571

I agree that many from the south are podunk idiots. Those are people trying to force religious beliefs on other people. I am all for gay marriage, I believe that women should have the right to choose etc. BUT, I don't think that people who cannot support themselves or their children should be having more children for the taxpayers to support. It is abso-fucking-lutely IRRESPONSIBLE! It is also totally unfair to their children!

So, you think it is ok for someone on welfare to keep popping out kids as quick as they want? If that is ok with you, then you fucking support them.

Great subject.That is why? it is time to vote for a new president!

The gap between rich and poor is widening.

15 years ago the average CEO made 40 times what the average employee of that company made. Now the average CEO makes 400 times what the average employee makes.

Funny how conservatives will fight to protect unborn children, yet they have no problem letting them starve once they are born.

Kerry wants to take even more from the haves and give to the have nots - at least that's what he's claiming in his campaign speeches to get votes.

Is this directed at me? What makes you think I am a conservative? Because I don't want to support an entire group of lazy people?

I believe I said I wanted the children taken from their parents. OBVIOUSLY, that means I approve of the govt. housing, clothing, feeding, and educating these innocent children who have the misfortune of being born to lasy ass crackheads. What I do not approve of is raising a woman's "benefits" everytime she irresponsibly spreads her legs to the neighor for a joint. Do you understand now? There is no reason people should be on welfare half/all their lives.

thanks mr bush

Not all southerners end up on the Jerry Springer Show

I don't think it was. I think it was a general statement going by the threads and some of these posts. And I would have to agree with him as well. (if it were a general statement that is)

aahah rofl

if they are illegal then they aren't registered, hence, they dont count in the stats smarty

Again, yes they are counted in the census and they do receive welfare.

what is even worse is that the poverty level is sub $9K per year in earnings ($18K for families of 4). that, to me, is just ridiculous. i can't imagine trying to live on less than $9K per. ugh.

my point being, if you try to establish a reasonable standard of living, that percentage is probably going to be in the 30-40% range!

That's right. The others end up on Jenny Jones, Maury, and Montel. :D

how are they living in poverty? working or not, if they have children and make less then $X they get their rent paid, food stamps and money each month from the government. when i was in college working 2 jobs and would go shopping and these people paying with foodstamps were buying steaks and brand named products while i was buying TP and top romin.

edit. they also get FREE HEALTHCARE
this is the reason it takes 4 hours to be seen in emergency rooms and asprin costs $12 at hospitols.

Who gives a fuck what you are. Anyone who advocates the government taking kids from people who are less fortunate should be boxed up and shipped to China.

Obviously, you are not very bright. I NEVER said take kids away from parents who are less fortunate. I did not say take kids from people on welfare. I said take children from parents who can't support themselves or the children they already have, but CONTINUE TO HAVE MORE CHILDREN. If you don't understand that then you are an idiot.

If a GROWN woman can not pay her rent, and has no idea where her next meal will come from, then she has NO business having more children. That is irresponsible, and it is neglect, IMO. Pregnancy is not something that "just happens". She should keep her fucking legs closed if she can't feed a child. Or do you think getting a little dick is so important that you should risk bringing a child into the world that you can't feed? Seriously, how hard is that to understand?

Americans on average enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. Our average "poor" family own a VCR, DVD player, microwave oven, car, 2/3 of them own their homes and they're FAT! Most poor people in the world only wish they were fat. Our "poor" are only poor by comparisson to the wealthy.

Also, capitalism works best when money is spread more egalitarianly. The only reason it isn't entirely egalitarian is because not everyone is just as smart as everyone else and puts forth just as much effort as everyone else.

You're either a liar or not a US resident. either one makes you irrelevant.

oh look, another under educated dope bought into the lies of the left.

I'll point out to you that your example talks about CEOs and average employees. niether of which are the poor.
oh, and your average ceo does not make 400 times the average employee. (another myth)

You're right, its more than that.

step right up, the idiots keep exposing themselves.

dear dope, this chart shows % of income increase over the time period.
a 500% change is far different than 400 times. you'll know that after you complete 7th grade math.

(why can't school happen on the weekends too so we get a real break from these kids and their childish posts)

and just to dumb it down so you'll understand. a 500% increase = 5 times. 5 times is not > 400 times.


stupid fucking kids.