FP Blog reports on the phenomenon of the world's poor investing in televisions before obtaining more "essential" items. The blog says, "Anyone who's lived in the United States long enough has heard middle-class people complain about poor people (especially those on government welfare) who waste their money on nonessentials such as cable TV, Tommy Hilfiger clothing, etc. The phenomenon isn't limited to the United States though..." What do you think? Click "comments" below...
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Just like they can afford a fortune on alcohol and cigarettes, but say they cannot afford to feed their families!
We all need dignity. Often times the dignity, self respect and love the poor have in there hearts; is what makes the social infrastructure function.
We all have a contribution to make to society. Being poor is a noble one.
Stereotyping on the other hand… Jeff, who are they? How many times have you seen them spend “fortune on alcohol and cigarettes?”
If the poor can afford dignity, than what’s the excuse?
Peace to you,
Damian
Just as any other group, the poor are a mixed group. My daughter is a physician in a free clinic and does have problems with her patients buying smokes but saying they can’t afford generic drugs available at the clinic. My husband and I were very poor when young; my small son wore second hand clothes and we were mistaken for American Indians when we traveled in Northern Minnesota. Some people spend and some people save in any group of people.
I hate the fact that nearly 6 months out of the year I work for the federal government to pay peoples bills that they sit at home and do nothing but watch TV and do not get jobs because they can get “Welfare”. The Unemployment is different, however, when I see people in the store with food stamps getting junk food for their kids and paying a fortune on Tobacco and other “essentials” for themselves. No dought that we the american citizen with jobs are paying for all of their Tv’s, Clothes, lights and basics of life. This is not fair I think that if you can not get a job then please by all means go to someplace were you can there are so many places that hire people everyday go there. Infact the other day there was a sign for workers about a mile from my house, no dought they did not see that one when they were sitting at home infrount of their new TV.
No one should criticize the poor. For some of the poor, doing what is socially “approved” is very important, allowing them to feel part of the mainstream. Mnay “poor” go to fashionable coffeehouses etc. pay exorbitant prices etc. just to feel that they belong.
If I thought those of truly poor means were watching the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Cramer, etc., I would not have a problem with that. This is not what usually goes on, though.
We will always have the poor: some will be on the “dole” forever, some are just passing through. Since we don’t know one from the other, just be very happy that it isn’t you.
That said, if we were to teach more of our students about the methods for saving, for planning work, for knowing about their Constitutional rights and obligations instead of “I’m okay, you’re okay” classes, we might be able to give skills to those who may find themselves on the “down-and-outs.” There is no one way to success, no one way out of failure. So, both educational skills(budgets, saving methods, career planning, home economics) plus government plans or government monitoring of private charities with real life expectations and less Bible thumping would be a good start.
Let’s start with a national health program. So many people are in dire straits because of medical bills, on-going medical conditions, and lack of insurance. When you feel like “crap” and because you have no insurance or no extended insurance and are treated like “crap,” you really must fight the emotional waves that will chip away at your self-esteem, moral character, and sanity. We have to realize that working people who pay their bills, save their money, ask for no hand-outs, get into trouble when laid off, insurance hits its limits or insurance companies will not touch you.
On the radio, a young man told of visiting France as a student. He fell and was cut. Neighbors took him to hospital where he was stitched up and given meds for infection. Upon discharge he was asked if he had any questions, was told to come back for follow-up. He was waiting for a bill. They said there was no bill and don’t forget to get the prescription filled and come back for the check-up. Emphasis here was concern for the patient, not how fast he could be pushed out and not the first question upon arriving, “what insurance do you have?” This is a daily occurance in all of Europe, even Ireland – one of the top economic hot spots in the world.