Protestantism

» paper_turtle - Defending the USA (poverty)

In response to Defending the USA posted by Twice__Pardoned:
.
I live in a poor neighborhood. I AM poor. The entire state of Vermont, taken as a whole, is not exactly rolling in wealth.
.
I don't get to tell you what you see, true, but you aren't just reporting what you see, you are making judgments.
.
The poor people I know are not stupid, ignorant, or lazy. They are struggling to get by. They face the prospect of homelessness with each and every paycheck (if they can even find a job). They do not sponge off the system. They are neither alcoholics nor drug abusers.
.
At least, out of respect for MY feelings (and the feelings of others here who may be/may have been in a similar situation), leave your judgments behind. Please.
.
peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Defending the USA (poverty)

In response to Defending the USA (poverty) posted by paper_turtle:
.
One of the problems with poverty is the way it is so easy for the victim to be seen as the cause of their poverty--laziness, etc.
.
The facts of the matter are that the United States is a nation founded on three principals; life, liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
.
What does THAT mean? A Freedom is involved and that Freedom is to be able to pursue what will make one happy--UNIMPEDED! Unimpeded? As in being able to pursue a college education to become a medical doctor, a teacher, a lawyer, a police officer, a fire fighter, an accountant, a computer programmer, a skilled worker? There are barriers to every one of those opportunities to the poor and even the middle classes. Only the rich get to sail free. When was the last time you wrote a check out of your trust fund to buy a new Beamer sports car that caught your fancy? When was the last time you spent your winter vacatioan in Tahiti? Do you have cleaning ladies to take care of your 6,000 sq ft home after you throw a party for your friends? Do the workers have a right to own the products of their labor?
.
.
When growing up in poverty means being a child in a drug infested home where educational opportunities are meaningless and in which the child has three strikes against it before it gets out the door and into the streeet, you know the promise of America does not take those children into consideration. We're discussing the problems involved throughout these threads and blaming the victim is a major factor. Remeber? Getting right with God takes care of all your problems? If you're not right with God, you deserve what you get? Go figure.
.

-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Defending the USA (poverty)

In response to Defending the USA (poverty) posted by pink101:

.
Phil wrote:
blaming the victim is a major factor. Remeber? Getting right with God takes care of all your problems? If you're not right with God, you deserve what you get?
.
Oh, silly me. I DID forget. Right. Guess I need to repent of being a liberal. (wink)
.
peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» Twice__Pardoned - Defending the USA (poverty)

In response to Defending the USA (poverty) posted by pink101:

What does God have to do with poverty??? I don't know any Christians who claim that if you 'get right with God' you'll be wealthy... In fact I would tend to believe the opposite,,, If you TRULY get right with God you'll prbably not have much more than you need because you'll give it all away.

But even then it doesn't take 'God' in order to give to the poor but for those who are 'Truly called by [his] name' they will have to sacrifice quite a bit.

-- posted by Twice__Pardoned

» Twice__Pardoned - Defending the USA (poverty)

In response to Defending the USA (poverty) posted by paper_turtle:

Well let me clarify something... I, and you, are only 'poor' by American standards. I know you realize that I just wanted to make sure anyone reading this understands that we both accept that.

SO let me ask a question about Vermont... If I were to go to Google and start searching for jobs in Vermont are you telling me that I couldn't find a job there (assuming I decided to pack up and move there)?

I would almost be willing to bet that I could within 2 weeks, from here in KC, fill out an application, go through an online interview and get hired by a company in Vermont seeking my services...

In fact in the good name of sport I'd be willing to put this to the test. I'll even call a company there and let them know what I'm doing ahead of time, just so they aren't disappointed when I don't actually move there.

This crying mentality that US economy is horrible is so pathetic. Our economy is not that bad and the media is great and spinning things however they wish... My bet is that if Clinton or Obama get elected the economy will "MAGICALLY" turn 180 degrees and somehow we'll be OK... =) I could care less who gets elected personally but it's funny how the media is good at convincing everyone we're so screwed up... Watch and wait... in 1.5 years after we have a democrat president you all will be singing a different tune... AS IF a president has barely anything to do with jobs to begin with.

-- posted by Twice__Pardoned

» pink101 - Your Economic Identity

In response to Defending the USA (poverty) posted by Twice__Pardoned:
.
You've been brainwashed and you don't know who you are economically.
.
In order to gain any understanding of where we are in the economic struggle it is important for us to understand our history.
.
Brian has started a thread with the title, Socialism. You could learn something about who you are in that thread if you are at all interested in learning.
.

-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Defending the USA (poverty)

In response to Defending the USA (poverty) posted by Twice__Pardoned:

.
re finding work in Vermont:
.
I have a BA degree. In 2006 I completed an additional one-year certificate program in Human Services. I began looking for a job in January of 2006 (completing my studies in May). I am still unemployed. I have sent our resumes and cover letters to any job even remotely connected with my qualifications. I've been on several interviews, and "almost" gotten hired any number of times, but I am still looking.
.
As for the job market in general, if you can make beds, flip burgers, wait tables, or pour drinks, you can find a job almost anywhere, any time. Same with clerking in a store. If you have a head for figures and if you are totally up on all the latest technology you might also stand an excellent chance of getting a job.
.
You need to know that although I do NOT claim social security benefits as a handicapped person I suffer from chronic back pain. I can't make beds, flip burgers, wait tables, serve drinks, or clerk in a store. I don't have a head for figures. I'm not up to speed technologically. I have applied for jobs as a secretary, receptionist, in-take specialist, and so-on. Most likely I was eliminated from consideration for clerical jobs on the grounds I was "over qualified." In addition, prior to this I was a stay-at-home mom for nearly 20 years--because I believed I was making an investment in my son's future by doing so.
.
Now, back to Vermont. *Much* of the economy here is dependent upon the tourism. Therefore, jobs are seasonal. Employees in the resort business treat their workers like dirt. The pay is low. Another part of the economy here is related to agriculture--dairy products, maple products, truck farming. People in the agricultural sector are dependent upon the weather. Many small towns have NO factories, or even any small industires.
.
Many people living in small towns must commute 60-100 miles a day to find work. At the cost of gas, that doesn't leave them very much ahead. Factor into that the cost of heating fuel for a climate that may require heat for seven months of the year.
.
Wanna move to Vermont?
.
peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» Twice__Pardoned - Defending the USA (poverty)

In response to Defending the USA (poverty) posted by paper_turtle:

Haha No thanks, I like Missouri quite a bit actually.

I used to live in Alaska, where my brother still resides, and he only works half the years but makes the majority of his income in those 6 months. The restof the year he does part-time stuff

-- posted by Twice__Pardoned

» Brother_Jones - Your Economic Identity

In response to Your Economic Identity posted by pink101:

You've been brainwashed and you don't know who you are economically.

He doesn't sound quite so bad to me. I think some of you here could enjoy the Miami experience where you could join the real Mother church of those who get up in the morning and give hell to the government and religion with every coffee sip. That is quite a life, I guess.

i a just an oldtimer for the Lord.

-- posted by Brother_Jones

» pink101 - Defending the USA (poverty)

In response to Defending the USA (poverty) posted by paper_turtle:
.
I have a BA degree. In 2006 I completed an additional one-year certificate program in Human Services.
.
You can be sure that if the Republican Party gains control of the government again, Human Services opportunities will be almost non-existent.
.
Brother_Jones writes, "...the real Mother church..."
.
So, what is the "real Mother Church"?
.
?????
.

-- posted by pink101