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Saturday, August 27. 2011

Material poverty in America is difficult to find; poverty of spirit not so difficult

You have to look pretty hard to find any. Whittle is getting close to my theme that poverty of spirit is a bigger problem than material proverty in the Western world. Perhaps they are alienated from the means of production...or something.


This is a very good brief video (h/t SDA):


 


Posted by The Barrister at 13:22 | Comments (8) | Trackbacks (0)

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The issue isn't the widgets that people own or don't own, the issue for poor people is having safe housing, medical care, transportation. Those items were conveniently left off that list the guy presented.

When my folks bought a microwave in the 1970's, it was $350. Today, not adjusting for inflation, you can get a microwave for under $50 on sale. Of course poor people will own microwaves when they are 50 bucks. also, poor people do not own subzero refrigerators and top of the line over the stove microwaves etc. for the most part, so you have an apples and oranges comparison there.

I'm not poor now, but I am seriously disabled, and I live in a poor area and know a lot of poor people (poor due to disabilities). They have their widgets, but many livei in substandard housing and most do not have a car, so they have to have volunteer drivers due to there being no bus system here. fortunately, due to being disabled, they have medicare or medical assistance (MN medicaid). Other poor people I know, they have no health care covrerage, and therefore don't get treatment for chronic health problems. so they will probably die younger than they should have.

I agree that times are better now, even for poor people. my husband had a buddy in the navy that had never owned a pair of shoes before he enlisted. That kind of poverty no longer exists, due to clothing and widgets being cheap from China. the food problem today for many poor people is empty calories from pasta and white bread rather than not enough calories.

You can complain about the poor all you want, but people are usually poor for a reason. Disabilities are a big cause. There are a lot of people with emotional or intellectual problems that are not so severe as to make them disabled from work altogether, but they will not be able to get a good job, and the pitiful money they earn, they get scammed out of or mis=spend it due to an inability to budget.
#1 Pat on 2011-08-27 14:12 (Reply)
Bill, Bill, Bill, you are preaching to the choir. Why do you persist in expecting rationality of Democrats?
They purposely "educate" American children so as to be incapable of rational thought. That way, Americans will vote as instructed by them, ensuring their hold on power.
It's that simple.
#2 PacRim Jim (Link) on 2011-08-27 15:45 (Reply)
To us, he's preaching to the choir, but he preaches so well!!!
#3 mudbug on 2011-08-27 16:39 (Reply)
We blame those who experience "relative poverty," who have enough material goods but feel impoverished because others have more. But it may be hardwired into us, or at least the tendency to it is. They are perhaps more to be pitied than scorned.

But I can't imagine why anyone would think the solution is to give people things until they don't feel so bad. Nothing will ever be enough. That which we receive undeserved grants us relief for only a short time. Contributing and earning help us to be happy.
#4 Assistant VIllage Idiot (Link) on 2011-08-27 18:52 (Reply)
Furthermore, it is human nature to hate or resent the giver of charity or undeserved kindnesses. It's a pride thing, because nobody really likes to need help.
#4.1 Bird Dog on 2011-08-27 19:00 (Reply)
I see your point BD, but maybe I'm just cynical and I think they're playing us. Mrs. Mudbug always says, those people have a job - it's to find out how to maximize their free stuff.
I think one of the very positive things about real charity is that it is coupled with some responsibility. In the bad old days, people were given room and board if they chopped wood or mended clothes. Another Mrs. Mudbug says is that if you expect nothing from people, they're happy to oblige.
#4.1.1 mudbug on 2011-08-27 19:19 (Reply)
He forgot to say, "the rate among the poor plummets unexpectedly to..."

You have to always use the word "unexpectedly" when reporting statistics. All the big new agencies do it.
#5 tyree on 2011-08-28 11:44 (Reply)
He explains the political ramifications well.

From personal experience in the late 70's, our safety net saved my bacon. For about a year I was a student in my last year of engineering school as a single dad with three little boys. I certainly paid back in taxes from my increased income after graduation what I was given by the state in getting over that last hump.

Some of us have said thank you.

Whittle missed the issue that much poverty is personally transitional. His complaint is that some political actors benefit from poverty and dependence being permanent.
#6 Whitehall on 2011-08-28 14:48 (Reply)
What he doesn't mention when comparing America to Europe is that that 1200 sq.ft. the average US poor has is a lot cheaper for them (to buy, rent, insurance, taxes, heating, etc) than the 900 sq.ft. is for that average European.

The POOR American has a higher income and standard of living as well as lower cost of living compared to the average European (or even a European with a higher than average income).
#7 J.T. Wenting on 2011-08-29 05:04 (Reply)

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