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What is Living in Poverty Mean to You???

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posted on Jun, 6 2014 @ 08:57 PM
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a reply to: Leprekon

There are varying levels of poverty. For example I am technically homeless, I rent a bedroom from a friend who charges me £50 per week and I am off work because of a serious back injury and have been for over a year which has resulted in me being bankrupted. So i have £33 per week to pay for everything else including electric, gas, phone etc.. so for food & drink I have £18 per week.
My friend is taking a risk letting me live there as it goes against his rental agreement and can't claim the £50 per week he charges me to stay there because he would be evicted so I am creative with my food and drink spending and can survive but only just. So I would say I am in poverty but at least i have a roof over my head and can afford to eat 1/2 meals a day through creative buying, usually hitting supermarkets an hr before they close for their use by date for that day which are in their reduced section.



posted on Jun, 6 2014 @ 08:59 PM
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Because we have a major entitlement problem going on here. Where the 85 people at the top of the incomes who have equal wealth to the bottom 3.5 billion, think they're entitled to own earth and its resources and treat everyone else who has equal rights without any expectation from them, to the land and resources, naturally, like serfs.

They turn around and tell those they have enslaved that if they think they have any rights they're so entitled. Its like a massive abuser calling others abusive.

Now, when you hire a manager of your estate and your children's inheritance such as our politicians are, there is an oath of office to uphold our rights and freedoms, and naturally that would mean that our right to land and resources would be upheld.

They don't get any more from people.

People who don't like income distribution better be on a bullhorn demanding all our land and resources and access to it back, because you don't get both ways.
edit on 6-6-2014 by Unity_99 because: (no reason given)



posted on Jun, 6 2014 @ 09:05 PM
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a reply to: Grimpachi

I'm seeing this mentality on this site more and more especially from Americans, they have a real lack of compassion for their fellow beings and I can see why the ME regard them as the great satan because you are so opposed to community and caring for the most vulnerable in society as can be seen with the recent VA scandal.
It's a real source of extreme disapointment for me because my avatar made me believe in the American ideals on which the character was based on but like his demise in popularity you could link it with the moral decline of America. It's no surprise that Superhero movies are the biggest selling genre at the moment because we need to believe that there is someone fighting for our rights and we can only get that through fantasy as real life it's just not happening.



posted on Jun, 6 2014 @ 09:22 PM
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a reply to: mclarenmp4

I wouldn't call the US the great satan, but it definitely has its problems. The ME I worry about is a bit different it is the people that are all about themselves. The I got mine jack so screw you types. In one breath they call for dismantling things like social security and then claim the govt benefits they took advantage of were deserved or justified.

We do have a problem with selfishness here, there is no doubt about that. As far a heroes go I think back to actual examples. Our founding fathers were heroes. They were intellectual giants compared to our leaders now. I really wonder sometimes what they wold think of our current state of affairs I doubt they would be so uncompassionate to the elderly or downtrodden as it seems much of the populace has become.



posted on Jun, 6 2014 @ 09:46 PM
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originally posted by: Grimpachi
a reply to: mclarenmp4

I wouldn't call the US the great satan, but it definitely has its problems. The ME I worry about is a bit different it is the people that are all about themselves. The I got mine jack so screw you types. In one breath they call for dismantling things like social security and then claim the govt benefits they took advantage of were deserved or justified.

We do have a problem with selfishness here, there is no doubt about that. As far a heroes go I think back to actual examples. Our founding fathers were heroes. They were intellectual giants compared to our leaders now. I really wonder sometimes what they wold think of our current state of affairs I doubt they would be so uncompassionate to the elderly or downtrodden as it seems much of the populace has become.


I think if you're going to discuss poverty, and I mean real poverty then the US participates on a different level than someone stuck in a hut on the African plain. Some would like us to think globally and if thats true then we have a whole different definition of poverty. I can't think of the last time I saw a tribal member overweight, teeth intact, with available prospects in sight. They are surviving, operate in the survival mode, and are mainly concerned with the next meal and dealing with weather conditions. This is real poverty.

Poverty in the US, includes food, a monthly check, and a place to stay, ask any hispanic coming across the border. It isn't poverty, you can live this way, you may not like it and want more but you are not in the survival mode. I am so lucky to have been born to great parents in the United States, that led by example of a good work ethic. The thought of being in the survival mode with little hope, is what I fear for the children of this country. The political, and financial climate of this country worries people much smarter than I am and they predict bad times ahead.

You did an outstanding job of taking care of your mom, her and your father did their job right raising a good citizen and a great family member. She will never see survival mode, let alone have anyone worry about anything she needs. Poverty is defined by your location, mind set, and hope. The rest are variables you can change when your mind set is ready. My 2 cents.....

With your membership in the greatest military of all time, you can obviously define real poverty better than most with the things you have seen..... Great thread Grim



posted on Jun, 6 2014 @ 10:11 PM
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a reply to: MarlinGrace

Yeah that's what i was getting at with my post about my situation, 1 countries poverty is another's middle class and so on and so forth.
So while I class myself as in poverty, my level of poverty compared to the 3rd world is far contrasting.



posted on Jun, 6 2014 @ 10:23 PM
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a reply to: Grimpachi

No I don't call the U.S that personally and I probably used that term disingenuously and you are correct regardless how i feel about the current state of your country you are a better country than most of the M.E.

it's something i need to deal with I recognise that, because on a deep level i love the passion and ideals your country were founded on but you have truly lost your way and it frustrates me. So anyone reading my comment on the great satan just ignore i was venting a little.



posted on Jun, 6 2014 @ 10:36 PM
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Poverty to me

Driving a car with a flat tire that you have to constantly put air into to get to work, no insurance and expired tags. You don't live within walking distance of a bus stop because you can't afford the rent in a home that is closer.

Not getting more than 10 hours a week at minimum wage but your boss won't give you a set schedule so you can take on a second job. Since all minimum wage jobs in your area do this it doesn't matter if you leave that job for another minimum wage job so that you can take two. They schedule you for when they want, even if you say you can't work those times. Got a court date to get a restraining order? Miss work for that and you are fired. Have another job that interferes with your random 10 hours a week? get fired.

Living in home owned by a slum lord that should have been condemned years ago. Leaky rooks, busted pipes, carpet that has more holes than carpet.

Going days at a time without food. You took your food stamps and bought the cheapest sodas you could find emptied them out to turn in for cash so that your heat didn't get shut off. Happens anyways and you resort to burning the cardboard boxes from the soda to stay warm.

Going more than two weeks with about 4 cents to you name. Nothing of value to be pawned. You don't even own a t.v.

You can't afford a phone nor the 25 cents for a payphone.

New job asks you to buy a blue shirt for work since they don't provide work shirts. You can't come up with the money. Can't keep the job you thought was going to make life a tiny bit easier since you didn't adhere to the dress code. They don't care that you don't have $12 to your name. At best you might buy yourself 2-3 items of clothing a year on clearance at wal-mart. You don't pay attention to what it looks like, only the price.

That $6 worst cut of meat possible, that every one complains that you bought (talking about ATS comments here), was the best thing that happened to you in months, and might of just saved your life for the small amount of pleasure it brought, because things are so bad suicide is an every day thought. All the while trying to keep a smile on your face so that you can make your children happy.

The thing is, years later, time still hasn't healed the scars. Ingrained habits from being in survival mode and living in poverty are hard to break. I still feel mass amounts of guilt if I buy myself a new shirt. I can't let that little sliver left from a bar of soap go to waste. I plan every errand that needs to be run, for the utmost efficiency on gas. Most of all, my heart still breaks when I hear people make negative comments about people on welfare. I still feel like they are putting me down as if I am sub-human, even though it has been years since I have been in that situation.

I am facing that situation again if my husband can't find work. I am scared. I don't think I will survive with my sanity in tact another go-round.

Real poverty, you don't get over the damage it does to your mind and soul.



posted on Jun, 6 2014 @ 11:34 PM
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Well done. I hope all your effort pays off for your mother and you.

The problem as I see it is not one of poverty vs -- vs what?

The situation that you find yourself is hardly unusual. It bankrupts familes on a daily basis. I don't think its a poverty issue. I think it's a societal issue.

And this is where the democratic socialist countries have gotten it right. There, they do pay higher taxes for things like univeral health (with would cover your mothers situation) and universal retirement. Every person you works, or passively earns (think top 10% or less) pays into the system. You may get back more then you paid in or you may get back less - it's irrelevant. What's important is that each person and company pays into the system. It's easier on businesses and individuals - no complecated decisions to make (with the possiblity of losing your shorts - like in the freewheeling USA), no constantly changing rules and regulations.

Think of how many people have taken advantage of you during your life - telling you invest in this, put your money here, IRA's are safe (really?), etc and stolen - your money or your parent's money or your children's money. Think of all the insurance plans that don't pay for the treatment you need or compensates enough for a totaled car.

It sounds like, with very careful attention from you, your mother's resources my last. But what if (as with telecom companies) the rent jumps 50% a year or the 'plus' levels do. No citizen oversight.

My mother was in an assisted living place for a few months before she died - $5000.00 a month and it wasnt' that nice and the care was, to my mind, substandard. It did not break her or her children but it was horrifing to us. She refused to have 'in-home' care because others she had know had been robbed and abused by care takers. I feel lucky that she had the care she did. This was in 2006.

In 1980 - during my father's last months - he was at home, with nursing help and during the last 10 days in a major hospital in a private room with 24/7 nursing. All paid by his insurance. Very few costs fell to my mother at all and we were able to be with him at the end. That nursing care he got - extended to us as well.

I hate what has become of this once fine, not perfect, nation. We were moving in a direction that provided care for the weak and old. Now it's dog eat dog hatred that rules the day.

I've watched so many Cancer patients, on their own after horrendous chemotherapy. While undergoing such invasive treatment, it should be done under 24/7 care in what used to be called santitarims. We treat the sick and old - worse then we treat animals.

Sorry - I do admire the lengths you have gone to in order to see to your mother's care. Whatever power(s) you believe in - may they bless you and her.



posted on Jun, 6 2014 @ 11:50 PM
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a reply to: calstorm

Your story brought tears to my eyes, no one should have to live like that. It's subhuman and the people who chastise people like yourself just hope they never fall on hard times, perhaps only then will their mentality change.
I will pray for you and your family that your husband can find work again, i ask everyone in this thread to do the same.
I wish you and your family all the best in your future.



posted on Jun, 6 2014 @ 11:52 PM
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a reply to: FyreByrd

It's great to see that someone from the U.S sees that social capitalism can work and provide all the needs of society and provide a genuine safety net for those that are in hard times. If only there were more that could see that in your country that you will start to see a better America.



posted on Jun, 7 2014 @ 12:10 AM
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a reply to: FatherStacks
Social programs DO NOT WORK. They perpetuate the problem without having a plausible long term solution. They are also funded based on the people who need help and ergo, do NOT help, they institutionalize people for dependency.



posted on Jun, 7 2014 @ 12:26 AM
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Meh .. true poverty is in the 3rd world countries and war torn countries around the world .. if they are lucky the people have shantys or cardboard huts to live in , no sanitation , no clean drinking water , rubbish and rats in the streets .. disease runs rampant ..
Westerners are clueless what true poverty is .. even the poorest in the west has better living conditions than in war torn countries and 3rd world countries ..



posted on Jun, 7 2014 @ 12:44 AM
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a reply to: ArchPlayer

Sorry but they do work, see most of Europe for working social capitalist states. We have addressed most of the issues over the 50 years we have ran a socialist capitalist country and our programs do work in the most part. The problems we face in our social welfare system right now is a lack of social housing which was caused by our conservative government selling public housing and not building any new houses but to say social programs don't work is ridiculous and only an American would say such a thing.
Regarding institutionalising people on dependency, yes we have what we call dole lifers who would rather not work and live for free but those are in the minority and we have active back to work programs that give people training so that they have a skill that gains them meaningful employment. Where I live we have 2 jobs for every person who is unemployed and have the lowest unemployment statistics than anywhere in the U.K.
So your statement is false, social programs do work.



posted on Jun, 7 2014 @ 12:58 AM
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a reply to: Expat888

Already addressed in many other posts in this thread but poverty differs based on the expected standard of living in any given country. So yes 3rd world poverty is the worst kind but if you are struggling to have enough money to eat then that too is poverty.



posted on Jun, 7 2014 @ 03:27 AM
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Poverty is misery.

I edited my post as my political bias was coming through., sorry.

edit on 7-6-2014 by LABTECH767 because: (no reason given)



posted on Jun, 7 2014 @ 03:42 AM
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a reply to: Expat888

Whilst I agree with you on the plight of third world countries ....

I often wonder WHY there is never any improvement on their

situation over the years?

These countries receive subsidies from the more affluent countries

and there are any number of charity appeals:- *Water aid,*Band aid,

*Children in need, *Annual telethon, *Sports relief etc...etc...

These appeals on an annual basis which have been going for

25/30 years raise many millions on top of what they receive from

the governments of the more affluent countries ....

and still we see the adverts of starving children, dirty water

unhealthy slum living conditions and then go on to read about

some jumped up self appointed President or Leaders new

Palace/Mansion!!



posted on Jun, 7 2014 @ 04:41 AM
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a reply to: eletheia

The money ends up pocketed by the so-called charities , governments and other assorted lowlife bottomfeeders who profit from misery by the time they all take their cut theres nothing left to help those it was meant to help .. could go on but that would be a seperate rant that would fill several pages along with throw t&c entirely out the window .. thus will leave it at what have said .. seen it worldwide ..



posted on Jun, 7 2014 @ 10:59 AM
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a reply to: mclarenmp4

You make a very good point here. America and it's people have some serious problems. A major one? Any form of a social program is looked at as Socialism and thus Communism by many Americans.

Seriously, your average American would say right to your face, "I say end the welfare program and let all those lazy bastards starve until they get a job."

That is the mindset in America today. If you are not above poverty, you must just be some asshole who is abusing the welfare system. It makes me sick, the entitled people make these statements when they have always been entitled.

Others have to actually struggle for a living and any assistance is viewed as a Communist handout.

I would kill to move to one of the European countries which actually has a grip on humanity.


Of course, this is not to say some of these feelings from Americans are unwarranted. Many people do abuse the system, I have witnessed families bringing in WAY more food stamps and welfare checks than they should be. Hell in my town - white folks like to dress bummy on the weekends and act like they are a beggar on the street corner. In reality these people have cars, homes, I've seen it!

Anyways, I am in poverty in America. I know the struggle. In Africa or Asia however I could be very well off. It is all subjective.

I will always be thankful I was born into America. Like another poster said, poverty here included a place and a check usually. Poverty in other places means you might die.


I definitely agree social programs do work. If they are done right. In America they are not, basically America likes to take European models of # and then completely half ass it and think it is going to work the same. Nope.

Also: as far as 3rd world poverty goes. You also must realize people living in these areas know ONLY poverty. They enjoy the small things in life; food, water, family and friends. People in western countries are exposed to the finer things in life and are shown all the stuff they DON'T have constantly.

What I mean is - people in those countries strive food good health and good families while in the west people strive for a new Iphone or a bigger apartment. Perhaps impovershed nations stay somewhat they way they are because they know what is important to them and are happy with it.

Just a couple thoughts.

edit on 7-6-2014 by lightedhype because: (no reason given)



posted on Jun, 7 2014 @ 04:15 PM
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If you have 500,000 in the bank then you are far from poverty. Live off of 15,000 or less a year, with no money in the bank, and you will see poverty.




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