America's Poor

[AL_DA_GREAT]

A huge problem with "the poor" is that many don't have the right priorities when it comes to money, or have any concept about saving. Thats why we see trailers with satalite dishes (which bugs the hell out of me too). I don't know how to solve that, but there is more to addressing poverty than writing a big check, or washing your hands of everything and going "meh, let the market handle it"

For the record, I suppose I technically live below the poverty line, but I have wireless internet, a TV (no cable, but a DVD player) and a car. Yay for being a student who's fairly smart on what he spends his money on.

well then it is their fault. I don't feel sorry for anyone who wastes their money and then complains about being broke. Poor is a very relative term, in western society it seems to mean not having a lot of unecccassary toys. Also people should spend more time thinking about why these people are poor. There might be a few cases where it is pure bad luck but I think most poor people are poor because of concious decisions that they knew where self destructive.

 

[Arwon]

I think there's substantial difference between regions in the US. nobody can tell me that the poor in the deepest Appalachians "aren't really that poor."

 

[Fugitive Sisyphus]

true, but do you really want to compare the american poor to people living in third world countries?

In that case, our poor are rich$$$$.

 

[skadistic]

I think there's substantial difference between regions in the US. nobody can tell me that the poor in the deepest Appalachians "aren't really that poor."

They aren't really that poor. When you step away from the stereotypes and deal in the real world they do fairly well. They don't make as much money but the goods there don't cost as much either.

 

[downtown]

They aren't really that poor. When you step away from the stereotypes and deal in the real world they do fairly well. They don't make as much money but the goods there don't cost as much either.

I dunno if I'd say that. I used to work in that region, and there are some dirt poor folks down there, and by dirt poor, I mean the floor is actually dirt. When we discuss poverty in America, we typically focus on black, urban centers. Southern Ohio/West Virgina/Northern North Carolina can be just as bad. I've seen stuff in Ironton and Portsmouth Ohio thats just as bad as anything I saw in DC or South Sacramento

 

[JollyRoger]

From all the whining I've heard made on their behalf, I assumed even America's rich are poor.

 

[Merkinball]

the comparison of living space with London and Paris is quite ridiciculous.

People in those town live in very small apartments/houses due to the exorbitant prices, which really doesnt reflect on their status of wealth.

It's clearly just a statistic trying to make the point that the poor of the US are somewhat better off than the average person living in a european capital - which is not the case. - RiffRaff

I think you're missing the point. Living space is typically used as a factor in determining poverty and the quality of life. This is true even here in America. This was something that was pointed out to justify things like the New Deal and the Great Society. Poor people lived in over crowded area's. It was a defining point of poverty.

What Heritage is pointing out, is simply the fact that the poor live quite comfortably here in America. And to show one of those points, they examined living space for poor people. And then contrasted that with average living space for Londoners and Parisian's.

It's not necessarily trying to say that Londoners and Parisian's are poor, but merely a contrast as to one aspect pertaining to standard of living.

 

[Kozmos]

Your poor people live nice because the credit card companies own their souls.

 

[Leonel]

Oh who cares about the poor? They're all uneducated, Christian Republican's after all!

 

[Patroklos]

Your poor people live nice because the credit card companies own their souls.

Another choice they alone are responsible for.

 

[Murky]

The reality of the situation is a lot different from what you can verify statistically.

Most probably own homes that are run down, in dangerous neighborhoods and high on utility costs. The exceptions would be people that got new homes through habitat for humanity. Those homes aren't exactly luxury models.

AC is often provided through community action networks. These are usually small window models. They are donated to help protect against heat related illnesses. They have be below a certain income level to qualify for them.

DFS can take a person kids away if they don't have adequate housing to provide enough space for them. This often forces people into sub-standard housing so that they can afford enough living space.

Their cars are often older models that they can barely keep on the road. They aren't driving sports or luxury cars unless they inherited them.

Their Color televisions are often small, cheap Wal-mart models. You don't see many wide-screen HD TVs in the low-income areas.

You can get used or cheap VCR/DVD easily in the USA. Wal-Mart or eBay.

It's difficult to get any kind of reception without cable or satellite. It's understandable that they would at least have basic cable.

Microwave Ovens and dishwashers are common household/apartment appliances. They are just as common as refrigerators and lots cheaper.

 

[Mirc]

Microwave Ovens and dishwashers are common household/apartment appliances. They are just as common and refrigerators and lots cheaper.

Are you sure of this? I've always had a refrigerator yet I've never had a dishwasher or microwave oven...

 

[Murky]

Are you sure of this? I've always had a refrigerator yet I've never had a dishwasher or microwave oven...

Microwaves more so than dishwashers. Some landlords are providing dishwashers to help cut down on dirty kitchens, roach infestations, etc.