There is virtually no poverty in America… of what true general
scarcity or dearth that remains, can’t be addressed properly
because of the political broadened definition of impoverishment.
If we accept the United Nations/World Bank definition of poverty, the US doesn't appear on their list of nations with a poverty problem. By their definition, poverty is subsistence on less than $10.00 per day (US dollars in purchasing power parity).
There are many statistics collected by the Census Bureau, that seem to counter argue that we don't have a poverty problem (eg. homes in poverty with A/C, wide screen TVs, video games, etc.)
The reality is that we have a poverty definition problem in the US.
A simple fact, anyone who meets the US definition of poverty, has a higher standard of living than more than 80% of the inhabitants of the world (source: World Bank Development Indicators 2008).
We do not have a poverty problem...We have cultural problems. There will ALWAYS be those less fortunate. All we can do is attempt to help those that "want" help.
Even the Guy panhandling on the street corner knocks down over a hundred bucks a day. Been proven too many times. Thats why most do it. It is Their Job.
(08-15-2014 07:44 AM)CardFan1 Wrote: Even the Guy panhandling on the street corner knocks down over a hundred bucks a day. Been proven too many times. Thats why most do it. It is Their Job.
I have stopped and offered panhandlers the opportunity for day labor and they always have some excuse as to why they can't work.
(08-15-2014 07:44 AM)CardFan1 Wrote: Even the Guy panhandling on the street corner knocks down over a hundred bucks a day. Been proven too many times. Thats why most do it. It is Their Job.
I have stopped and offered panhandlers the opportunity for day labor and they always have some excuse as to why they can't work.
I always offer to buy them a hot dog while I am in the store. Sometimes they take me up on it, but more often they do not. Regardless, I'd rather buy them a $1.50 hot dog then give them a quarter.
(This post was last modified: 08-15-2014 09:46 AM by EverRespect.)
I can't watch the full video for now... About 5-10 seconds into the video, there is a banner headline "About 46 million people live in poverty in America" ... Cato and other s have documented that roughly 45-50% of the US is on public assistance, contributing to the poverty trap.
Looking at the numbers above, I have a feeling that there are enough people that look at them and see them as their constituency that they would not want to see go away.
I think we'd go a long long way with reverse-income tax and paying attention to the Laffer curve. However, vagrancy will continue to be a problem ad-infinitum fueled by drug abuse and mental illness.
(08-15-2014 09:40 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote: You can't compare poverty in the US to poverty in the third world and expect people to be happy.
While poverty here doesn't remotely compare with poverty worldwide, we still have the disparity of those considered to "have" and those considered as "have-nots". The fact that ALL societies have this disparity - even communist ones, gets lost in the politics of it all.
This country (and all countries) have always had the rich and poor - the difference now is that it's part of the democratic platform to paint anyone that been successful as a cheating, heartless miser and only they can even the score.
Honestly, given that Democrat politicians cater to the monied interests every bit as much as Republicans - they have done a hell of a sell job. Either that or the groups they message to are too stupid to realize they've been duped.
Bottom line is that there will always be rich and poor in relative terms and no amount of government intervention will equal the outcomes - too many differences in intelligence and "want to".
I purchase food for these people most every time I see them. I have also accompanied them into restaurants and prepaid for their meals. I'll feed you if you are in need, but not cash for dope or a 40 oz.
(08-15-2014 10:15 AM)I45owl Wrote: I can't watch the full video for now... About 5-10 seconds into the video, there is a banner headline "About 46 million people live in poverty in America" ... Cato and other s have documented that roughly 45-50% of the US is on public assistance, contributing to the poverty trap.
I think what's most misleading about such a number (if it's even remotely true) is that a number of people choose to live like that. Grad students are one class who often fall below that defined line. These days, many college students do as well.
And millions of immigrants also live in poverty in America, which they vastly prefer over living in poverty in their home country.
(08-15-2014 10:24 AM)South Carolina Duke Wrote: I purchase food for these people most every time I see them. I have also accompanied them into restaurants and prepaid for their meals. I'll feed you if you are in need, but not cash for dope or a 40 oz.
I think the first option is good ... I've handed over my lunch to panhandlers before. The second is more dicey. I've seen do good liberal types bring what look like crystal meth bums into restaurants, but it also serves to help put restaurant owners out of business, thus turning your act of charity into a sacrifice for the owners. I think that's a problem.
