General Discussion

ForgoTheConsequence

(5,026 posts) Fri Apr 12, 2013, 06:20 PM Apr 2013

139

The poor "do ok". (for anyone who volunteers or works in human services) [View all]

I'm sorry but this is a bit of a rant.

Just a little while ago in a discussion on this board I was told that "the poor in fact do ok".

I took a step back (mentally) and a deep breath. Sometimes I'm guilty of going overboard when I read something offensive on the internet, something I want to change (e-anger issues)

I just can't help but wonder how sheltered and protected some of us are to the hardships going on in our very own country right now. Every time a politician is on TV they're talking about the "middle class" nothing ever about the poor or the lower middle class. Any other DU'ers that happen to work one on one with families, volunteer at shelters, soup kitchens, Catholic social services, etc, know that there is a large contingent of people in this country who are not "doing ok". Sure you can say "well look at these people in this third world country they certainly have it better than them", sure...fine, but that's not the point. Take some time out of your schedule to unload a truck or serve food and talk to people. Listen to the stories about how they're missing all their teeth because they couldn't afford dental care, listen to stories from kids about how they go to bed hungry and listen to stories about how their mom or dad died in their 40's from a chronic illness that could have easily been managed had they had access to health care.

A lot of these people work full time jobs, some barely get by each month wondering if they should pay the rent or pay for food. This isn't as rare as some people would like to think in America, its real, and its not "ok".

I'm sorry to use "emotion" as a technique to get my point across, but it's an emotional issue.

Peace/Love.

/end rant.

P.S. 17 million children will go to bed hungry tonight in the United States. I find that offensive, I hope you do to.

55 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

The poor "do ok". (for anyone who volunteers or works in human services) [View all] ForgoTheConsequence Apr 2013 OP

Thank you for posting this! LongTomH Apr 2013 #1

Is it one in four Children that are hungry everyday in the US? DhhD Apr 2013 #46

Anyone who thinks that cvoogt Apr 2013 #2

Oh, you are so very right. love_katz Apr 2013 #43

the scary thought cvoogt Apr 2013 #54

Proud to rec! Warpy Apr 2013 #3

The agenda of the Third Way is obvious Rex Apr 2013 #4

Until they're poor! justhanginon Apr 2013 #37

Exactly right. The Third Way was a Wall St invention to infiltrate the Dem Party and promote sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #44

Thanks for this post Cal Carpenter Apr 2013 #5

Thanks Cal! ForgoTheConsequence Apr 2013 #6

I had to thank timdog44 Apr 2013 #10

K & R dreamnightwind Apr 2013 #7

I like a more fun stat to make this point nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #8

Startling statistic Nadin! ForgoTheConsequence Apr 2013 #26

Thanks for this. timdog44 Apr 2013 #9

Don't apologize for emotionalism or your "rant" Boomerproud Apr 2013 #11

According to my wingnut friends... spinbaby Apr 2013 #12

I was told they should go out and get jobs. n/t Cleita Apr 2013 #15

They have "obamaphones" prole_for_peace Apr 2013 #34

FORGOTC KNOWS THE SCORE Skittles Apr 2013 #13

Bless you for saying this. It's so true. n/t Cleita Apr 2013 #14

Thank you, and to those who think "the poor" do "OK" .... bread_and_roses Apr 2013 #16

Yes exactly. wickerwoman Apr 2013 #22

A tangent, I know, but who on earth would dare use that water slide? KitSileya Apr 2013 #30

K&R! lbrtbell Apr 2013 #17

+10000000000 Dragonfli Apr 2013 #18

^^^^^This^^^^^ love_katz Apr 2013 #45

+1 more. n/t Laelth Apr 2013 #53

Nope, they're not doing ok. jopacaco Apr 2013 #19

It's heartbreaking BrotherIvan Apr 2013 #32

I've always felt a country should be judged on how well it takes care of its most unfortunate Major Nikon Apr 2013 #20

That is a disgusting thing to think, even worse to say out loud on a democratic forum. SammyWinstonJack Apr 2013 #21

It seems as if the US is becoming a third world country. RoccoR5955 Apr 2013 #23

Some places could pass for the developing world. ForgoTheConsequence Apr 2013 #28

Indeed. We seem to be able to print/borrow all the money needed for foreign aid and bastard Purveyor Apr 2013 #29

Forget about foreign aid. RoccoR5955 Apr 2013 #55

A big K&R PD Turk Apr 2013 #24

Something needs to give. ForgoTheConsequence Apr 2013 #25

excellent post thank you ! nt steve2470 Apr 2013 #27

Thank you. Everyone should see "American Winter"... OneGrassRoot Apr 2013 #31

No dental help whatsoever.... Utopian Leftist Apr 2013 #33

Offensive is right locks Apr 2013 #35

That's not even really a rant. It's just the truth. DirkGently Apr 2013 #36

Imagine the most difficult life decision you had to make this year. Now adamuu Apr 2013 #38

Millions of children must go to bed hungry at night to feed the mantra of a forever exponential indepat Apr 2013 #39

There are no "poor". There's the middle class and "those trying to get into the middle class". Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #40

And there's no starvation, just people looking for food. ForgoTheConsequence Apr 2013 #42

Ever notice that Republicans act like ANYONE can get a good job if they want? Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #49

How very Babs Bush of them. valerief Apr 2013 #41

Kicking and recommending... love_katz Apr 2013 #47

A most excellent rant. 99Forever Apr 2013 #48

Quite a gentle, insightful "rant". Thanks for sharing Your sentient concern!! hue Apr 2013 #50

You are absolutely right. I also kind of blame the media because they really aren't southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #51

k&r for the truth, however depressing it may be. n/t Laelth Apr 2013 #52