I hosted some guests last weekend, including a teacher in the Newark, New Jersey school system. She described to me how she is constantly having to buy school supplies for her students, especially notebooks– if she tells them they need a notebook for class, the kids’ reply (every single one) is “I can’t get a notebook. I can’t afford it. I’m poor.” Needless to say, this teacher isn’t exactly a trust fund baby, but she buys the notebooks so the kids can ostensibly learn.
The kicker? The kids all have flat screen TVs at home and other luxuries that their hardworking teacher can’t afford. But they are “poor” because they have been told that, because they receive reduced school lunches, and because they fall into the poverty level according to the government’s poverty calculators (which measure income, not what that income is spent on). The message to these kids is that because they are poor they can’t do certain things, even buy a notebook which can cost less than $1. Is this really how we’re raising the next generation?
I just heard an interview the other day with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is looking into raising the level which is considered living in poverty by the federal government. Sure, there are poor people in the United States. I know a few of them, and they don’t have flat screen TVs, but they have houses, a car, clothes. They live a life that the actual poor in other countries could only dream of, and they probably consider themselves too poor to spare $1 in change to save a life in Africa. When you tell people they’re poor, they begin to really think so.
I can’t say how many times I’ve been caught in the line behind a woman in the grocery store with nicer clothes than me, perfect manicure and hair, who is using WIC (Women, Infant, Children) certificates to buy all her food. I’m sure there are people who need and use this program, but the ones who use it and don’t need it are not few and far between from what I’ve seen. I’ve even been greeted with surprise by a cashier who asks if I’ll be using WIC to pay for my purchases– I guess I’m the age where all young women pay with WIC. Don’t even get me started on the phenomenon of people who sell their food stamps.
It is sad when we as a society place more value on outside appearance of wealth (flat screen TV, manicured nails, nice clothes) than we do on food, benefiting society rather than it personally benefiting you, honesty, authenticity, and education. This problem is basically a microcosm of what is wrong with our entire American society.
It’s interesting how “poor” in the United States circa 2010 means:
1. You probably have a cell phone
2. You probably have a car
3. You probably have some sweet rims for #2
4. You might be late on some REAL bills paying for #3
5. You’ve constantly been told by some privileged white liberal that no matter what you do in live, you will always be poor
Poor is a state of mind not a caste.
Green Libertarian
March 4th, 2010
03/07/2010
Dear Friends,
I am writing to you because I need your support. You may have heard I am running for Texas State Representative District 105.
I have chosen to run cause I know that I can best serve my state and defend freedom for Texas families. This is a wonderful opportunity to represent my district is the Texas Legislature. I am putting together a campaign team to effectively present my message of Liberty to the entire 105th district. Anyone can volunteer at http://www.cecilince.com/contact_form.html
Campaigns cost money to effectively get the message out. I have personally contributed toward my campaign, but I cannot afford all of it. I am in need of campaign Contributions from friends, family, and supporters. I hope that you can help by contributing $10. You can make your check out to The Committee to Elect Cecil Anthony Ince or you can donate using PayPal at http://www.cecilince.com/2010.donat.html
I do have a chance to win, if I can raise the money to purchase yard signs, newspaper ads, radio and TV spots. Getting the message out and inform the voters of district of my candidacy. I know that you want to see me win and your $10 campaign contribution can help make that happen.
Should you have any questions about the volunteering for my campaign team, please call me at 972-746-6359 or email me at cecil@cecilince.com
Your support, as well as that of any of your friends who might be interested in endorsing my candidacy, will be greatly appreciated. I look forward to talking with you soon. Thank you in advance.
Cordially,
Cecil Anthony Ince
Libertarian Candidate for
Texas State Representative
District 105
http://www.cecilince.com
cecil@cecilince.com
(972) 746-6359
Cecil Anthony Ince
March 7th, 2010
I saw the same when I worked at the grocery store, people would come in with columbia coats and pay for their food with food stamps, but had another cart full of soda, candy, and other things that weren’t covered by stamps. I too know poor people, I was one at one time, but some of them do have flat screens. some don’t, but all have cable or satelite.
Robert
March 25th, 2010
Interestingly, the percentage of Africans with mobile phones is approaching something like 80-90% (maybe even higher).
libertariangirl
April 1st, 2010
I saw the same when I worked at the grocery store, people would come in with columbia coats and pay for their food with food stamps, but had another cart full of soda, candy, and other things that weren’t covered by stamps. I too know poor people, I was one at one time, but some of them do have flat screens. some don’t, but all have cable or satelite.
Bruce
May 19th, 2010
Food Stamps are nice and handy if you want some fast meals.~-”
Gabriel Ellis
July 2nd, 2010
Food Stamps are great and i wish that there were more of them.’;:
Kian Gray
July 19th, 2010
we can always avail of food stamps if we can’t afford great food,-~
Acne Treatment `
October 11th, 2010
the homeless people in our area would always use food stamps to satisfy their hunger~~~
Bariatric Surgery :
October 23rd, 2010
food stamps are great because it is instant food and you can consider it also as free lunch “:;
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